Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Becoming more intense, stronger, or more profound: Describes something that is increasing in degree, seriousness, or emotional depth over time.

2. Noun:

   • The process or act of becoming deeper or more profound: Refers to the ongoing development of something towards a state of greater depth, intensity, or complexity.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The deepening crisis required immediate action. (The crisis, which was becoming more serious, required immediate action.)
  • She felt a deepening sense of admiration for his work. (Her feeling of admiration for his work was growing stronger.)

• Noun:

  • The deepening of their friendship took several years. (The process by which their friendship became more profound took several years.)
  • This book explores the deepening of spiritual awareness. (This book explores the process of spiritual awareness becoming deeper.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to describe abstract qualities: Commonly used with emotions, understanding, conflicts, or colors.
  • The deepening blue of the evening sky was beautiful. (The blue color of the evening sky was becoming more intense.)
• Indicates a continuous, ongoing change: Often implies a gradual progression rather than a sudden shift.

Variants and Related Words

• Deepen (verb): To make or become deeper or more intense.
  • The channel was deepened to allow larger ships.
  • His voice deepened as he grew older.
• Depth (noun): The distance from the top or surface to the bottom of something; intellectual or emotional profundity.

Synonyms

• Intensifying (adj): Becoming stronger or more extreme.
• Growing (adj): Increasing in size, amount, or degree.
• Escalating (adj): Increasing rapidly, often used for conflicts or problems.

Related Phrases

(Note: "Deepening" itself is not typically used in phrasal verbs. The related verb "deepen" can be part of phrases.) - To deepen into: To progress into a more intense or profound state. - Their conversation deepened into a philosophical debate. (Their conversation progressed into a more profound philosophical debate.)

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms that use the exact word "deepening.")

Adjective

1. accumulating and becoming more intense
   • the deepening gloom
   • felt a deepening love
   • the thickening dusk

Noun

1. a process of becoming deeper and more profound