profile 1 of 2

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

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profile

2 of 2

noun

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
Verb
To keep a low profile, her face was concealed underneath a baseball cap and sunglasses. Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 1 July 2025 Once verified, users get a blue checkmark on their profile. Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 30 June 2025
Noun
Last month, Forbes profiled Bridgeman, revealing the former Milwaukee Bucks player — and new co-owner of the team —was now a billionaire. Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 But some are just being profiled as ICE agents pass by. Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for profile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profile
Verb
  • Yes, but before that, the grooming process, as outlined at the trial, was a socialization.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 July 2025
  • France and Saudi Arabia together issued a declaration backed by the Arab League and its members such as Egypt and Qatar, outlining steps toward implementing a two-state solution.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Electric razors mapping facial contours for better shaves.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 23 July 2025
  • The answer is: yes, kinda, a little bit, but there's some contours to the tale.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • The next clip pictured Stickler on top of the mystery man, whose back was to the camera.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 23 July 2025
  • While our children often experience summer with wide-eyed excitement - picturing endless playdates, pool days, and screen time - parents often brace themselves for the real summer marathon.
    Bevone Ritchie, Miami Herald, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • Because the shape was incomplete, the alert was sent out to all of Warren County, and some of Montgomery County, Centerville and Middletown.
    The Enquirer, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
  • Starting in Catalonia may influence the shape of the route too — will the race be sent straight towards the nearby Pyrenees in the first week?
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • Their son, Irving Vant Clarke, a World War II veteran and longtime member of Union Church of Hinsdale died in the area in 2024, according to his obituary.
    Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025
  • Calderon was a martial artist and started his first martial arts school at 16 years old in Ecuador, according to the obituary.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • The shapes of these eclipses allow astronomers to find out the stars’ radii using straightforward geometry.
    Andrej Prša, The Conversation, 23 July 2025
  • The new collection was inspired by the bold vision of Lee Miller and the architectural elegance of Eileen Gray, with striking geometries, light accents and sculptural lines.
    Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • Antonia Drew Norton, founder and executive director of Asha Family Services, said the child's homicide was directly tied to the family's history of domestic violence and abuse, as documented in public records.
    Ashley Luthern, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • Rivera, who won a Super Bowl with the 1985 Chicago Bears as a backup linebacker, remains the winningest coach in Panthers history.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • The mystery dial configuration consists of no fewer than eight complications and mechanical components that appear to float independently on the Maillechort dial.
    Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • In almost every configuration of the Spirit (there are six total), burners come with a heat boosting sear setting that increased the max temperature, according to my laser thermometer, up to over 800℉.
    Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Profile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profile. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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