The phrase "were profitable" implies that a certain activity or venture has earned a significant amount of profit. There are several synonyms that can be used to convey the same meaning, such as "yielded profits," "generated revenue," "made money," "turned a profit," and "earned a return." Similarly, one can use phrases like "were financially sound," "were lucrative," or "were successful" to express the idea of being profitable. When describing a business, industry or sector that has performed well and earned a good amount of profit, one can use terms like "booming," "thriving," or "flourishing" for a more specific shade of meaning.