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
  • In addition to a high-end spa and thriving dining scene, this lavish property is perfectly equipped to showcase the fascinating flora and fauna that calls Madagascar home, with some of the earth’s most iconic creatures making an appearance at the property each year.
    Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In another piece, a lavish sautoir with a rope-like chain is adorned with a 17-carat pink tourmaline and a white opal of over 12 carats, and holds a dial made of fiery red ruby root — the raw base material to which rubies are attached.
    Milena Lazazzera, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That core design is useful when the prompt text closely matches the kinds of things already found in a model's copious training data.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Mar. 2025
  • After a year of deliberations, copious site visits and scores of plane rides, the board of the Sundance Institute has chosen Boulder, Colo., to host its film festival beginning January 2027.
    Nicole Sperling, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Bedrock was working on sodium-ion batteries, which are lower cost, as sodium is more abundant and cheaper than lithium, and don't use cobalt or nickel.
    Katie Fehrenbacher, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Forecasters attributed the violent weather to warm temperatures, an unstable atmosphere, strong winds and abundant moisture streaming from the Gulf of Mexico.
    Kimberlee Kruesi and Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The good news is that the mechanicals are robust, and those parts are plentiful, so apart from rust and the challenge of obtaining trim and pieces unique to the model (serious enthusiasts may want to buy a second Scorpion to cannibalize), these are really delightful cars.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Replacements are plentiful but have done little to stunt the term’s rise.
    Zachariah Mampilly, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This study, which was published in the journal Neurology, comes when clinicians and public health advocates are raising awareness of alcohol use disorder and issues related to excessive alcohol consumption.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Avoid constipation as excessive straining can weaken the pelvic floor.
    Violeta Valdés, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The image features a small region of the SMC near the center of NGC 346, a star cluster that is home to dozens of massive young stars, fueled by ample amounts of dust and gas.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • In other words, big brains developed during a period where there is an ample archeological record but meat eating does not explain why humans are so smart.
    Marianne Krasny, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Profuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profuse. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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