deepen

verb

deep·​en ˈdē-pən 

deepened; deepening ˈdē-pə-niŋ 

ˈdēp-niŋ

transitive verb

: to make deep or deeper

intransitive verb

: to become deeper or more profound

Synonyms

• accentuate
• amp (up)
• amplify
• beef (up)
• boost
• consolidate
• enhance
• heighten
• intensify
• magnify
• redouble
• step up
• strengthen

Examples of deepen in a Sentence

They deepened the river so that larger boats could sail through.

Age had deepened the lines in his face.

The water deepens toward the center of the river.

Her powerful words deepened our commitment to the cause.

The vacation together deepened their relationship with each other.

The mystery was deepened by her silence.

This class will deepen your understanding of economics.

Living in the country's capital had deepened her knowledge of politics.

Recent Examples on the Web

The tensions have deepened since U.S. President Donald Trump raised the possibility of Palestinians from the devastated Gaza Strip moving into Egypt, a suggestion that Cairo has rejected. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

But, in its second half, the series deepens wonderfully. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

New characters like Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) and Isaac (Jeffrey Wright) deepen and distort the conviction that the real monsters are within us. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Apr. 2025

Over the season’s travails, their chemistry deepens from easy and comfortable to fiercely devoted to movingly tender. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for deepen

• cheapen
• marzipan

Kids Definition

deepen

verb

deep·​en ˈdē-pən 

deepened; deepening ˈdēp-(ə-)niŋ 

: to make or become deep or deeper