PROFILE Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

profile 1 of 2

noun

Definition of profile

as in contour

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Dissimilar Words

as in character sketch

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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

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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

Starting Tuesday, artists can disclose that their profile represents an AI Persona through Spotify for Artists. — Reuters, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026 And, needless to say, the joint profile is very much of its time. — Julia Reed, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

The Times had the privilege of profiling her a few weeks earlier in a story that also included some wonderful photos of Saar still hard at work in her Laurel Canyon home studio. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026 Premiering in May 2027, the film will profile its namesake, the controversial aviator who helmed the first uninterrupted solo flight across the Atlantic. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for profile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for profile

Noun

The system functions by pulling airflow across a wide aerodynamic contour to assist the main engines.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
Compressed color values—in contrast to the wide modulations in tone that Cassatt allowed elsewhere—heighten the sense of mass, while unexpected bright blue outlines seal their contours.

— Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of contour

Verb

Colorado doctors will still be recommending the long-standing immunization schedule outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Green made a presentation, now rather famous among his colleagues, that outlined his meta-layered vision, complete with shots of Michael Mann’s The Insider and stuffed with references to other legal dramas like The Verdict and Erin Brockovich.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of outline

Noun

Blending documentary and fictional elements, directors Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw pay homage to the remarkable and charming people whose zest for life shapes and preserves this unique region and its centuries-old culture.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
They were asked to press high, in the first half particularly, leaving a 4-2-4 shape with little midfield cover.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of shape

Noun

In addition to his screen roles, Cypher, according to his obituary, appeared in 12 Broadway productions, playing such characters as Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, Thomas Jefferson in 1776 and Juan Perón in Evita.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Carl Steward, the author of this obituary, covered Bay Area sports for 42 years.

— Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of obituary

Verb

The Olsen twins were pictured with the larger cast, including Bure but without Loughlin amid the college admission scandal fallout, at Saget's funeral.

— Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Instead, his platform takes not-so-subtle digs at the populist often pictured with a pint of beer.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of picture

Noun

The new engine also has improved airflow thanks to an innovative intake-port geometry allowing hydrogen to burn much faster than petrol and requiring different air movement inside the cylinder.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
The 2026 eclipse may have favorable geometry for sighting prominences.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of geometry

Noun

In 2018, Modi was accused by Indian authorities of orchestrating one of the country’s largest bank frauds in modern history.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Yes, Venice provides a glamorous, high-profile red carpet, a heady dose of prestige with its long and glittering history, and a Golden Lion win can sometimes pave the way to a best-picture Oscar.

— Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of history

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“Profile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profile. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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