Synonyms of profile

profile 1 of 2

noun

1

as in contour

Related Words

• contour
• outline
• shape
• geometry
• configuration
• silhouette
• form
• frame
• fashion
• framework
• conformation
• organization
• cast
• shell
• figure
• plan
• design
• pattern
• skeleton
• format
• setup
• layout
• arrangement
• makeup

Dissimilar Words

• material
• composition
• matter
• substance
• stuff
• raw material

2

as in character sketch

Related Words

• character sketch
• obituary
• history
• past
• chronicle
• biography
• story
• bio
• psychobiography
• pathography
• autobiography
• hagiography
• tell-all
• memoir
• life

profile

2 of 2

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

Related Words

• outline
• picture
• draw
• cartoon
• caricature
• ink
• pencil
• sketch
• crayon
• scribble
• scrawl

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of profile

Noun

The most significant indicator in Nebius’s (NBIS) recent activity is not the quarterly revenue exceeding expectations, but the essential change in the company's risk profile. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

This year’s Cannes Film Festival may be light on studio movies and American star power so far, but by day four, we’ve already been hit with six films in competition that have varying chances at achieving a global profile. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 May 2026

Verb

Reed delighted in interviewing and profiling actresses, especially Bette Davis, Myrna Loy, Angela Lansbury and Melina Mercouri. —Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026

Two friends and fellow alumnae of Auburn University in Alabama had, like her, faced ocular melanoma (and were all profiled in PEOPLE in 2018) — and both died. —Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026