Pronunciations (2)
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/ˈdiːpən/
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ˈdiːpən
Verb
To make deep or deeper
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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They deepened the well by 200 feet.
To make darker or more intense; to darken
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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The event deepened the prevailing gloom.
To make more poignant or affecting; to increase in degree
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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News of her death deepened my sorrow.
To make lower in tone
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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The tuner deepened the tone of the organ.
To make more thorough or extensive.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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The class deepened my understanding of the subject.
More examples (1)
The AIDS crisis changes day by day, and the pamphlet was completed a year ago. Much remains to be deepened and updated: we recognize that, and would welcome discussion.
To make more intimate.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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The shared experiences deepened our relationship.
To make more sound or heavy.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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The hypnotist then proceeded to deepen his trance.
To become deeper
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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The water deepens as you go toward the middle of the channel.
To become darker or more intense
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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The crisis deepened in the following weeks.
More examples (1)
We may be pardoned our nostalgia, those of us who can remember the old days, the days before the grouping and before standardisation, when we see, as today we see so often, the derelict and abandoned buildings of what were once railway stations, for the life which they used to enjoy we lived with them. There they stand, today, as the dusk deepens about them, lampless, cold and deserted.
To become lower in tone
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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His voice deepened with age.
To become more thorough or extensive.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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His skill in deciphering the texts deepened with practice.
To become more intimate.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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The conversation deepened and they began to truly share.
More examples (1)
He's in the process of breaking up with one boyfriend, who refuses to let their relationship deepen, and courting another, who promises to be somebody with whom he could grow old.
To become more sound or heavy.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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The new bed allowed my sleep to deepen.
Verb
make more intense, stronger, or more marked
- Broader terms
- Examples
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The efforts were intensified
Her rudeness intensified his dislike for her
More examples (2)
Pot smokers claim it heightens their awareness
This event only deepened my convictions
become more intense
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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The debate intensified
His dislike for raw fish only deepened in Japan
make deeper
- Broader terms
- Examples
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They deepened the lake so that bigger pleasure boats could use it
become deeper in tone
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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His voice began to change when he was 12 years old
Her voice deepened when she whispered the password