profound

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

|Updated on: 10 Jun 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

Because of the lack of any audible reverberation or resonance, every word spoken inside an anechoic chamber sounds serious, almost profound.

— lauren goode, WIRED, "Sonos's New Soundbar Points to a Voice-Enabled Future," 6 June 2018
Such a blow produces an invisible and profound discomfort.

— jorge ebro, miamiherald, "He was left off the Cuban national team. And now he is a step closer to the majors," 5 June 2018
By the mid-1980s, Rogers was an icon of children’s television, known for communicating with his young viewers in the most fundamental and profound way.

— maxwell king, Time, "Get an Exclusive Look Inside the First Full-Length Mister Rogers Biography," 1 June 2018
Women have longstanding and profound concerns with respect to their treatment in the workplace.

— fiza pirani, ajc, "From Weinstein to Lauer: A timeline of 2017's sexual harassment scandals," 26 May 2018
In both Babylon Berlin and Fahrenheit 451, truth remains the most pervasive and profound casualty of totalitarianism while also the most abstract.

— steve erickson, Los Angeles Magazine, "HBO’s Fahrenheit 451 Reveals a Blurred Line Between Utopia and Hell," 16 May 2018
American Jews have a deep and profound awareness of being a minority community and the vulnerability created by that.

— zack beauchamp, Vox, "I’m an American Jew who abhors Israel’s violence. I still can’t boycott Israel.," 15 May 2018
Under Daniel Sullivan’s profound as well as clever direction — the stagehands who move the furniture are dressed as nuns — the focus remains sharply and clearly on the debate.

— toby zinman, Philly.com, "What a Broadway weekend!: 'St. Joan' and 'My Fair Lady'!," 27 Apr. 2018
The impact of this announcement was immediate and profound.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Administration Eases Sanctions on Russian Metal Giant," 23 Apr. 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.