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

Example 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 Spatter cones, which are volcanic mounds built up on top of a vent or fissure emitting profuse amounts of lava, were confirmed to be vulnerable to collapse, suggesting they could be targeted in the future. Robin George Andrews, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2020 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 See All Example Sentences for profuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profuse
Adjective
  • An adjacent study provides a versatile retreat, while the dressing area and expansive walk-in closet enhance the suite’s lavish appeal.
    Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The night before his accident, Abbott and his wife had attended a lavish gala hosted by his law firm.
    Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, his wife, Victoria Ratliff, played by Parker Posey, relaxes with copious amounts of lorazepam and their daughter Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) grows frustrated by her family.
    Liza Esquibias, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The sumptuous upholstery, glossy wood grain, snappy touchscreens, and copious storage also help the interior live up to Cadillac’s high net worth proposition.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • How Is Access To Healthcare In Braga? Access to healthcare is abundant in Braga.
    Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Today, the black and white birds that live along the southern Ross Sea primarily eat Antarctic silverfish, a small, abundant fish that scientists consider a keystone species.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Outdoor activities are plentiful, from the numerous hiking trails to the Contoocook River, which offers boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2025
  • For example, cheap labor and service means women in major cities can outsource domestic tasks to workers who migrate into the cities, supplementing that free and plentiful childcare.
    Rocio Wu, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Build For Future Scalability And Adaptability With an enterprise-wide architecture, systems can be designed for flexibility, allowing business units to integrate, expand or evolve their solutions without excessive rework.
    Balvinder Singh Banjardar, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Summary Hemophilia disease prevents blood from clotting, which can cause excessive bleeding.
    Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The sturdy steel construction and ample 710 square inches of cooking area come at a budget price.
    Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Both boast wide stretches of sand with ample room for umbrellas and chairs.
    Sheila Yasmin Marikar, AFAR Media, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Profuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profuse. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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