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What is a word that means "to make profound"?

For example,

This onion will [infinitive] the stock.

These colors [3rd person plural] the painting.

Deepen doesn't quite cut it, and I can't use the imaginary words "profund-ize" or "profund-iate" in a formal setting.

Any suggestions?

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    Would a slightly different construction like "give gravity to" cut it?
    – Hugh
    Commented Jul 16, 2013 at 6:16
  • What on earth is a profound stock, anyway?
    – Tim Lymington
    Commented Jul 16, 2013 at 9:46
  • @TimLymington: a stock that has a deep, rich taste, I would guess.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    Commented Jul 16, 2013 at 10:39

4 Answers 4

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Intensify. Enrich. Lend profundity to. Instill with profoundaliciousness

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    profoundaliciousness?
    – user57234
    Commented Jul 16, 2013 at 7:52
  • A word like "profoundaliciousness" makes it able to find copies
    – Em1
    Commented Jul 29, 2013 at 21:20
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I would suggest either deepen or enrich. Deepen does carry a slight implication that whatever is being deepened is already a bit deep (e.g. a well or a pit); but you can enrich something which isn't already rich or deep.

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Enhance to improve the quality, amount, or strength of something Longman dictionary: to improve something Free Dictionary: to intensify or increase in quality, value, power, etc.; improve; augment

  • These onions will enhance (the flavour of) this stock soup.

  • These colours enhance (the play of light and shadow in) the painting.

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Invigorate seems to match what you are looking for.

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