profound

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

|Updated on: 24 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

Support of the teacher by the parents has a profound influence on the child, who realizes he or she will not be excused for undisciplined behavior.

— WSJ, "Catholic School Output Good, Input Limited," 7 June 2018
And some of the most profound debates in physics at that time had a philosophical nature.

— philip ball, WIRED, "Questioning Truth, Reality, and the Role of Scientific Progress," 2 June 2018
And that is perhaps his most profound break with presidents past.

— chris cillizza, CNN, "Donald Trump made the Roseanne story all about him," 30 May 2018
In those last moments, she's discovered the most profound expressions of love are the ones between mother and child.

— tom hallman jr., OregonLive.com, "The meaning of a mother's love through a doctor's diary: Tom Hallman," 12 May 2018
The Civil War is the most profound and bloody example but far from the only one.

— ezra klein, Vox, "American democracy has faced worse threats than Donald Trump," 10 May 2018
With the grit and edge of investigative journalism and the profound heart of a powerful documentary, each episode delivers a riveting look at the faces of change in Black America.

— lesley goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "BET Upfront Slate Features 'Dream Team,' '90s Girl Group Docuseries," 17 Apr. 2018
The power of GVT’s result had a profound influence on how psychologists and economists think about decision-making in domains where information arrives over time.

— adam sanjurjo, Scientific American, "Momentum Isn’t Magic—Vindicating the Hot Hand with the Mathematics of Streaks," 28 Mar. 2018
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

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.