profile 1 of 2

noun

Definition of profilenext
1
as in contour

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in character sketch

Synonyms & Similar Words

profile

2 of 2

verb

as in to outline
to produce a representation of the shape of the head as seen from the side his likeness was profiled against a background of vegetation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun profile differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of profile are contour, outline, and silhouette. While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background.

a portrait of her face in profile

Where would contour be a reasonable alternative to profile?

The synonyms contour and profile are sometimes interchangeable, but contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled.

a car with flowing contours

When might outline be a better fit than profile?

While the synonyms outline and profile are close in meaning, outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass.

traced the outline of his hand

When could silhouette be used to replace profile?

In some situations, the words silhouette and profile are roughly equivalent. However, silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined.

photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

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 profile
Noun
The grip feels natural, the buttons have that nice clicky feedback, and switching between device profiles is super quick. —Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 27 May 2025 The Last of Us star opens up about exploring gender through video games, managing their rising public profile, and reconnecting with their craft. —Peyton Dix, Them., 27 May 2025
Verb
Start optimizing your captions and profile bios with keywords, and use trending audio, hashtags and niche-specific terminology. —Tony Pec, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 Why was The Times profiling a 16-year-old Mexican immigrant? —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for profile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profile
  1. contour
  2. outline
  3. shape
  4. obituary
  5. picture
  6. geometry
  7. history
  8. configuration
Noun
  • But a century and a half later, the contours of my own seemingly instinctual reactions to the French—alternating beguilement and dismay—fit over Twain’s with the precision of a cut-paper silhouette.
    — Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025
  • Due to a change in methodology, some contours are not cropped along the U.S. coastline.
    — Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Definition of contour
Verb
  • The document, dated November 2022 and obtained by NGO Monitor, outlines the U.K.'s humanitarian strategy in the occupied Palestinian territories.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
  • Wyden is demanding the public release of an unclassified 2022 report that allegedly outlines years of cybersecurity negligence by major U.S. telecom companies.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Definition of outline
Noun
  • By factoring in island shape, reef type and location, scientists and policymakers can make smarter, more effective decisions.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • The Buckeyes are in good shape for the foreseeable future with former five-stars Julian Sayin and Tavien St. Clair both on the roster, but most programs like to take a quarterback every year.
    — Grace Raynor, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Definition of shape
Noun
  • Logan Dunne was a cardiac sonographer at a hospital in Peoria, his obituary said.
    — Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2025
  • According to information provided by the U.S. Army Special Forces Command History Office and found in his obituary, Petithory first enlisted in 1987, signing up to serve as a military policeman.
    — Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 26 May 2025
Definition of obituary
Verb
  • Now, picture a great power—China—with a military to rival the US and fusion reactors that provide virtually unlimited energy.
    — Wal van Lierop, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Eleven wore a white tulle dress and an adorable daisy-chain headband in some of the photos, pictured all around her party.
    — Hannah Sacks, People.com, 5 June 2025
Definition of picture
Noun
  • Many of our listeners may be thinking of geometry from their high school geometry class.
    — Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 15 May 2025
  • Mangold has been exploring geometry, form and color for more than 60 years, with a half-century of that time on a charming property here in the Hudson Valley with an old farmhouse and a barn.
    — Ted Loos, New York Times, 7 May 2025
Definition of geometry
Noun
  • Barring something substantial keeping him from reaching that mark in 2025, Machado will become the 79th player in history to have accomplished the 350/2,000 double and just the 12th to do so by his age-32 season.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2025
  • Only 11 horses in history have managed to win both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, but not the Preakness Stakes, in the same year.
    — Wire Reports, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025
Definition of history
Noun
  • Whether the device is bought with malicious software already onboard, or that software is downloaded during post-purchase configuration, setup or firmware update, the result is the same.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • The configuration lasted until 2002, after which the league went to conference-vs.-conference matchups.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 4 June 2025
Definition of configuration

Browse Nearby Words

proficients
profile
profiled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Profile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profile. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of profile for Spanish Speakers

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