PROFILE Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'profile' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of profile are contour , outline , and silhouette . While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background. // a portrait of her face in profile

Q: Where would 'contour' be a reasonable alternative to 'profile'?

The synonyms contour and profile are sometimes interchangeable, but contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled. // a car with flowing contours

Q: When might 'outline' be a better fit than 'profile'?

While the synonyms outline and profile are close in meaning, outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass. // traced the outline of his hand

Q: When could 'silhouette' be used to replace 'profile'?

In some situations, the words silhouette and profile are roughly equivalent. However, silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined. // photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

profile 1 of 2

noun

Definition of profile next

as in contour

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in character sketch

Synonyms & Similar Words

profile

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verb

as in to outline

to produce a representation of the shape of the head as seen from the side his likeness was profiled against a background of vegetation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun profile differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of profile are contour, outline, and silhouette. While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background.

a portrait of her face in profile

Where would contour be a reasonable alternative to profile?

The synonyms contour and profile are sometimes interchangeable, but contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled.

a car with flowing contours

When might outline be a better fit than profile?

While the synonyms outline and profile are close in meaning, outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass.

traced the outline of his hand

When could silhouette be used to replace profile?

In some situations, the words silhouette and profile are roughly equivalent. However, silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined.

photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of profile

Noun

Once logged in, toggle over your profile photo in the top right corner. —

Amanda Cappelli, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2025 Some scouts say that’s too high of a profile for the 5-foot-10 Dominican. —

Chuck Murr, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Verb

As part of their report, ATF profiled some of the billionaire heirs and heiresses that are expected to benefit the most from Trump’s new tax plan. —

Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 30 Dec. 2024 Walker still profiles as the sort of impact bat Houston hoped José Abreu could be. —

Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for profile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for profile

Noun

Granted that the prime minister has been focused on other risks (environment event in Mayotte, farmer protests and a sharp deterioration in relations with Algeria), Lombard is producing the contours of a budget that simply put, favours politics over the bond market.

Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
The best response to these developments is to face the contours of this brave new technocratic world head-on.

Harper's Magazine, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025