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deepening

deepening

4.2
Becoming more intense or serious
  • adjective
  • /ˈdiːpənɪŋ/
translation icon : profundizándose
  • Their deepening bond brought them closer together each day.

feels fresh, eyes glowy, hydrated. But it's not like this super self tanning, crazy transformative skin tone deepening thing. So

Examples

  • She felt a deepening sense of anxiety as the deadline approached.

  • But, you know, deepening and trusting relationships, that's what I believe makes progress and keeps people safe.

  • The deepening shadows indicated that evening was approaching.

Synonyms

to escalate
vsdeepening
220 5.5

To become larger, more serious, or more intense

highlights increasing depth or intensity rather than only seriousness
to intensify
vsdeepening
110 4.0

Make something stronger or more intense

describes growing deeper in degree rather than just becoming stronger
to heighten
vsdeepening
76 4.1

To make a feeling, effect or situation stronger

emphasises deeper growth in intensity rather than noticeable change
to deepen
vsdeepening
52 3.6

Make a feeling or situation stronger

is the noun form describing that ongoing process
intensifying
vsdeepening
3.7

Becoming stronger or more intense

is about gradual increase in depth or seriousness rather than sudden change
thickening
vsdeepening
  • Informal
5.7

Becoming denser, more intense, or more complex

focuses on growing deeper in feeling rather than becoming denser

Antonyms

1 4.6

To make something less deep

How Serious

deepening
4.2
worsening
1 4.2

Surface Forms

deepening positive

Morphology

deepening = deepen (transparent) = deep + en + ing

Present-participle adjectival use formed by adding '-ing' to the verb 'deepen' (which is transparently from 'deep'), producing an adjective meaning 'becoming more deep/intense'.

Etymology

Deepening is made from deep ('far down or more intense') plus the ending -ing that shows change, so it describes something that is becoming deeper, stronger, or more serious.