1
as in esoteric
difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand
a profound observation about good and evil that few listeners fully grasped
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2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
a profound silence fell over the audience after the last note had sounded
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3
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
a profound dislike of frauds and phonies
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4
as in deep
extending far downward
with eyes wide with disbelief, the explorers made their way through a canyon more profound than any they had ever imagined
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of profound
Thanks in part to Washington’s inattention on Biden’s watch, Kim embarked on a profound strategic reorientation toward Russia.
—
John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
This was always going to be a summer of profound change for the club on and off the pitch, with the arrival of Venkatesham as CEO.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 2 June 2025
The economic and cultural implications are profound.
—Wolfgang Messner, The Conversation, 2 June 2025
These individuals typically struggle to delegate or seek support, which can result in a profound sense of isolation.
—Lisa Bodell, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for profound
John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
This was always going to be a summer of profound change for the club on and off the pitch, with the arrival of Venkatesham as CEO.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 2 June 2025
The economic and cultural implications are profound.
—Wolfgang Messner, The Conversation, 2 June 2025
These individuals typically struggle to delegate or seek support, which can result in a profound sense of isolation.
—Lisa Bodell, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for profound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profound
Adjective
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Everyone knows Gaudí’s architecture; his furniture is a more esoteric thing.—
Anthony Paletta,
Curbed,
20 May 2025
-
His tastes ebbed and flowed between aggressive music and more esoteric tastes, as his collaborators came to range from Richard Thompson to Hal Willner, whose tribute to Federico Fellini and Nino Rota included contributions from Thomas, as did a collection of sea shanties.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And, believe it or not, Europe does have air conditioning, which can be quite an intense shift when moving between the outdoors into coach buses or stores.—
Gregory Robinson,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2025
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Residents of Maoming, China were treated to a celestial light show earlier this week when a surprise fireball burst to life overhead, illuminating the city before disappearing in an intense flare of light.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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The White Lotus star accessorized with sheer lace gloves and bright pink sunglasses.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
3 June 2025
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Even so, the sheer variety of different tasks—and the ways those tasks are presented in different parts of the game's massive map—should keep the P-Switch hunt from feeling dull or rote.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2025
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The logo features a deep red hue, recognizable to car enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Ware picked up all the cases while on intensive supervised release after serving three years and three months for aiding and abetting first-degree robbery out of Hennepin County.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
6 June 2025
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Russia used a Tu-160 in intensive overnight missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, Kyiv's air force said on Friday.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Both Merz and Zelensky criticized the Kremlin’s effective rejection of an unconditional ceasefire proposed by the U.S., which Kyiv accepted.—
Stefanie Dazio,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
-
Ukraine has agreed to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, proposed by the U.S., but Putin rejected it.—
Jackie Northam,
NPR,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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The feedback was fierce—storyboards dismantled, ideas shredded—but the environment was psychologically safe.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Caron was used to seeing my fiery side, the fierce competitor, the demanding coach.—
Jim Calhoun with Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Even more notable was the string of copycat series Survivor sparked, which caused an utter explosion for the genre as other networks raced to find its very own success story.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
27 May 2025
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His mission was to keep the vibes high in the face of utter hopelessness.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Profound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profound. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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