profound

adjective

prə-ˈfau̇nd How to pronounce profound (audio)
Definition of profoundnext
1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of profound This has profound implications for how business leaders think about workforce planning, skills development, and the employer-employee relationship. — Maria Black, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 The simple yet profound opportunity to create a life all rerouted and ultimately destroyed. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Her music revealed a profound belief in the goodness of others and a witty, fiery insistence on remaining true to herself. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2026 With the married couple of Robert and Camille Sims careening off onto very different moral trajectories, Camille must confront troubling truths as her conscience plummets into the pits of Hades, while Robert is on a profound journey of salvation. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for profound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profound
  1. intense
  2. esoteric
  3. sheer
  4. deep
  5. intensive
  6. unconditional
  7. fierce
  8. utter
Adjective
  • Motion Applied brings experience from motorsport, where power electronics face rapid load changes and intense operating conditions.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • As if this weren’t enough for one day, Venus will also make its debut in the secretive and smoldering sign of Scorpio, where the love planet trades light-hearted flirtation for something deeper and way more intense.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • That's an important, if esoteric, distinction, as Asus already claimed the first RGB OLED gaming monitor (the ROG Swift PG34WCDN), and LG called dibs on the world’s first 39-inch 5K2K OLED gaming monitor with the GX9.
    — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Even though Truell was then chasing an esoteric idea around AI for CAD, Tisch and the partners at BoxGroup listened.
    — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of esoteric
Adjective
  • The facts of his biography, no matter how outrageous, could not possibly explain the sheer derangement of his output.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This means investor scrutiny will extend beyond the sheer scale of AI investment to encompass debt burdens, capital costs, and return timelines.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sheer
Adjective
  • Core aerators remove plugs about 2 to 4 inches deep and around 1/2-inch wide, and spaced about 2 to 6 inches apart, dropping them on the lawn surface.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Lovano expressed deep gratitude to Collins for steering the festival for many years and keeping the atmosphere alive.
    — Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of deep
Adjective
  • Saylor Hayes, 5, who was the subject of an intensive search involving hundreds of people and multiple agencies, was found in South Carolina on Sunday.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Authorities point to the Golden State’s intensive regulatory environment as a factor.
    — Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensive
Adjective
  • The capitulation of Germany is at hand, the Third Reich's unconditional surrender just days away.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Despite his resolve to be gentler and kinder than Cotton, Hank still struggles to articulate his unconditional love to his son, Bobby.
    — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of unconditional
Adjective
  • Casemiro and Messi, fierce rivals when Casemiro was at Real Madrid and Messi at Barcelona, celebrated together, a rare sight for longtime La Liga fans.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Pearce was celebrating five years of Opry membership and would return later to channel many aspects of Dolly, from her humor and fierce independence to her Appalachian roots.
    — Chris Parton, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • This Ninth — featuring the Los Angeles Master Chorale and four superb vocal soloists (Saioa Hernández, Tamara Mumford, David Portillo and Ryan Speedo Green) — became Beethoven, alive in the moment, an instrument of utter joy.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Sweet, aromatic, and bubblegum pink, this playful cocktail is the utter definition of fun.
    — Bradleigh Mobley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of utter

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profligates
profound
profoundly
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Cite this Entry

“Profound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profound. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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