profound

adjective pro·found \ prə-ˈfau̇nd , prō- \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Examples: profound in a Sentence

Definition of profound

1 a : having intellectual depth and insight

b : difficult to fathom or understand

2 a : extending far below the surface

b : coming from, reaching to, or situated at a depth : deep-seated

a profound sigh

3 a : characterized by intensity of feeling or quality

b : all encompassing : complete

profound sleep

profound deafness

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profoundly

play \prə-ˈfau̇n(d)-lē, prō-\ adverb

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profoundness

play \prə-ˈfau̇n(d)-nəs, prō-\ noun

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Examples of profound in a Sentence

Here, for the first time, a journalist gains access to the archive of one of the most comprehensive longitudinal studies in history. Its contents, as much literature as science, offer profound insight into the human condition—and into the brilliant, complex mind of the study's longtime director, George Vaillant. —Joshua Wolf Shenk, Atlantic, June 2009
This isn't escapism, or denial of grief; it is acceptance of the facts of life, the map of profound relationship to the grief that is part of life … —Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans Matters, 2005
The status of women, though probably the most profound single difference between the two civilizations, attracted far less attention than such matters as guns, factories and parliaments. —Bernard Lewis, What Went Wrong?, 2002
Despite all the respect, it was hard not to feel a twinge of schadenfreude at O'Hara's fall from esteem, which had caused him profound bitterness. —Kingsley Amis, Memoirs, 1991
His knowledge of history is profound.
Her books offer profound insights into the true nature of courage.
the profound mysteries of outer space
a profound sense of loss
His paintings have had a profound effect on her own work.

Recent Examples of profound from the Web

Despite its profound and ongoing influence across a wide spectrum of musicians, the work of composer Morton Feldman is rarely performed in Chicago.

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "Two Chicago pianists perform a pair of rarely heard masterpieces by Morton Feldman," 12 July 2018
Something actually revealing and relatively profound.

— bill goodykoontz, azcentral, "Elvis Presley as metaphor for America in 'The King'," 12 July 2018
First of all, profound #RESPECT for @dc_mma, achieving his lifelong dream and cementing his legacy in @UFC.

— justin barrasso, SI.com, "Takeaways From New Japan, WWE and UFC After a Night in July That Changed the Business," 8 July 2018
For Democrats, Crowley’s defeat raises profound questions.

— linda feldmann, The Christian Science Monitor, "What Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s victory says about Democrats’ future," 28 June 2018
This gave her a profound and personal appreciation for both the importance and the overwhelming expense of medical imaging.

— rob reid, Ars Technica, "Ars on your lunch break, week 3: Mary Lou Jepsen and peering into the brain," 28 June 2018
The students attended Waller-Williams Environmental School, which is for students with severe and profound emotional or behavioral disabilities.

— andrew wolfson, The Courier-Journal, "JCPS rejected mom's plea for bus aide until son was sexually assaulted," 25 June 2018
The session raised profound questions for American cities.

— susan crawford, WIRED, "Autonomous Vehicles Might Drive Cities to Financial Ruin," 20 June 2018
But read the Santa Monica regulations, which were just approved, more closely, and signs of a more profound and important shift may be evident.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "As scooters and transit startups takeover, cities need to realize the value of the infrastructure they already control," 13 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'profound.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.