Synonym Chooser

How is the word profuse distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of profuse are exuberant, lavish, lush, luxuriant, and prodigal. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

In what contexts can exuberant take the place of profuse?

The synonyms exuberant and profuse are sometimes interchangeable, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

Where would lavish be a reasonable alternative to profuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to profuse, lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

When is lush a more appropriate choice than profuse?

In some situations, the words lush and profuse are roughly equivalent. However, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

When could luxuriant be used to replace profuse?

While the synonyms luxuriant and profuse are close in meaning, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When would prodigal be a good substitute for profuse?

The words prodigal and profuse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

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 profuse Material transformation is fundamental to ceramics, but what Yasunaga does with clay, glaze, ash and glass is radically inventive as well as profuse in metaphorical resonance. Leah Ollman, latimes.com, 5 July 2019 Common symptoms include unexplained rapid weight loss, profuse coughing, night sweats and fever. USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2020 Inconveniently, though, profuse eruptions of lava began to flood the basin beginning roughly 3.6 billion years ago, forming a wide volcanic sea—also known as Mare Crisium, or the Sea of Crises—that covered up much of the original impact melt. Robin George Andrews, National Geographic, 13 Dec. 2019 Another profuse item in medical facilities is the sterilization pouch—a small, sealable pouch used to keep sterilized equipment free of germs. Sarah Gibbens, National Geographic, 4 Oct. 2019 See all Example Sentences for profuse 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profuse
Adjective
  • Capital Public Radio has sued its former general manager, accusing him of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the station to fund a lofty lifestyle filled with lavish overseas trips, renovate his home residence, pay his children’s university tuition and more.
    Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Through the 18th and into the 19th centuries, the Classical Revival house style represented a turn to simplicity after the lavish ornamentation of previous periods like French Rococo, and that clean austerity still has appeal today.
    Lauren Gallow, Architectural Digest, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Supermassive black holes are theorized to get so big through a chain of mergers involving smaller black holes and by feasting on copious amounts of gas and dust.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Or how such extra-curricular bedroom activity doesn’t have to define a relationship — Danny and Becka are also loving parents, popular within their community, and, judging by the copious public displays of affection, clearly still head over heels for each other.
    Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • At the heart of the case against seed oils are concerns about the omega-6 fatty acids that are abundant in them.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 13 Jan. 2025
  • The cruel irony is that water is currently abundant in Los Angeles.
    Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • While rain has been plentiful in the northern part of the state, Southern California has been bone dry, with only 0.03 of an inch of rain falling at LAX in the last three months of 2024.
    Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The possibilities are plentiful, if other thermochromic products are anything to go by.
    Michael Irving, New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Forgiveness for students who saw excessive loan interest after 10 or 20 years would likely no longer be an option.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
  • But aggressive fire suppression and inattention to urban overgrowth have left excessive, easy-to-ignite vegetation in many areas.
    Justin Angle, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The solid wood construction is sturdy and long-lasting, while the triple-tier design will provide ample space for my favorite cocktail accessories and spirit bottles.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Shoppers shared that they were repeatedly impressed by its ample interior space and can pack far more than expected.
    Alyssa Brascia, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near profuse

Cite this Entry

“Profuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profuse. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on profuse

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