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
  • On the 18th, guests can peruse more than 125 different wines at Saturday’s Discover Napa Valley Tasting Pavilion, while there are multiple Daytime Diversions available for booking that showcase the lavish side of South Florida.
    Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • On January 10, 2020, the actor and the singer announced their plan to marry, with both posting details of their lavish engagement on Instagram after a year and a half of dating.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • For example, the recent case of Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old Hawaiian woman flagged as missing by her family, has generated copious media coverage and, seemingly, police attention.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
  • The Small Steps Not all recalibration techniques require copious amounts of time.
    Elissa Kelly, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Recent examples of people acting out of this same humble presumption—and being slapped down for it—are abundant.
    Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Lessons from nations with better-performing health systems are abundant.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Unlike the early days of the internet, access speeds are near-instantaneous, bandwidth is plentiful, storage is cheap, and computers—including those little ones in our pockets—are fast.
    Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2024
  • But tech companies ought to be thinking about bringing data centers to places where renewable energy is plentiful, Intersect Power CEO Sheldon Kimber tells The Verge.
    Justine Calma, The Verge, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Bean and Smith were acquitted of civil rights charges of using excessive force and being indifferent to Nichols’ serious injuries.
    Adrian Sainz and Jonathan Mattise, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
  • Last month, a Justice Department report from a yearlong federal civil rights probe into police in Trenton, New Jersey, found officers routinely used excessive force and violated residents' civil rights during arrests and traffic stops.
    Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Why to Water Trees in the Winter Ensuring trees have ample soil moisture is important in winter, especially if the weather has been dry and soil is lacking moisture.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2024
  • For this ranking, these companies also have a high Corporate Equality Index Rating from the Human Rights Campaign and ample volunteering and philanthropic activity.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near profuse

Cite this Entry

“Profuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profuse. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on profuse

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