profundity

noun pro·fun·di·ty \ prə-ˈfən-də-tē \

Definition of profundity

plural profundities

1 a :intellectual depth

b :something profound or abstruse

2 :the quality or state of being profound or deep

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Examples of profundity in a Sentence

the profundity of his thoughts
Her books are a mixture of playfulness and profundity.
the depth and profundity of her feelings

Recent Examples of profundity from the Web

At the suggestion of the profundity of his and Presley’s influence, Hays goes silent.

— brooke mazurek, Billboard, "40 Years After His Death, Elvis Presley's Jeweler Reveals Untold Stories of the King: Exclusive," 11 Aug. 2017
Restaurants are such a revitalizing force in urban life that a fine meal now carries a sacred profundity.

— derek thompson, The Atlantic, "The Paradox of American Restaurants," 20 June 2017
The profundity of those words struck us as never before.

— alix strauss, New York Times, "Two Years Later, What It Means to Be Wed," 19 June 2017
In this performance, featuring two Met stars, the mezzo-soprano Susan Graham and the tenor Matthew Polenzani, the storytelling aspects of the songs were paramount and the mood less heavy; profundities came through without undue emotiveness.

— anthony tommasini, New York Times, "Review: Esa-Pekka Salonen Brings Mahler to Carnegie, Ever So Coolly," 1 June 2017
The film’s political and moral weight should not overshadow the artistry of its design, though, nor the quiet profundity of its unreserved and admirable approach to gay intimacy.

— joey nolfi, PEOPLE.com, "Cannes AIDS Drama 120 Beats Per Minute Emerges as Major Palme d'Or Contender," 21 May 2017
The film’s political and moral weight should not overshadow the artistry of its design, though, nor the quiet profundity of its unreserved and admirable approach to gay intimacy.

— joey nolfi, PEOPLE.com, "Cannes AIDS Drama 120 Beats Per Minute Emerges as Major Palme d'Or Contender," 21 May 2017
The film’s political and moral weight should not overshadow the artistry of its design, though, nor the quiet profundity of its unreserved and admirable approach to gay intimacy.

— joey nolfi, PEOPLE.com, "Cannes AIDS Drama 120 Beats Per Minute Emerges as Major Palme d'Or Contender," 21 May 2017
The film’s political and moral weight should not overshadow the artistry of its design, though, nor the quiet profundity of its unreserved and admirable approach to gay intimacy.

— joey nolfi, PEOPLE.com, "Cannes AIDS Drama 120 Beats Per Minute Emerges as Major Palme d'Or Contender," 21 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of profundity

Middle English profundite, from Latin profunditat-, profunditas depth, from profundus

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First Known Use: 15th century

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profundity Synonyms

Synonyms

deepness, profoundness, depth

Related Words

discernment, perception, perceptiveness, perceptivity, percipience, sagacity, sapience, sense, sensibility, wisdom; braininess, brightness, brilliance, intellect, intelligence, judgment (or judgement), reason, sense, smartness, wit; acuity, acuteness, keenness, penetration, perspicacity, sensitivity, sharpness

Near Antonyms

shallowness, superficiality; brainlessness, idiocy, imbecility, mindlessness, simpleness, stupidity, witlessness; illogic, irrationality, unreasonableness, unsoundness

Learn More about profundity

See words that rhyme with profundity Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for profundity Spanish Central: Translation of profundity Nglish: Translation of profundity for Spanish speakers

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profundity

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