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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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 The hippie generation is gone now but has impacted our ways of life in profound ways. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 Kyla and Ella met in Brighton in 2018 and immediately felt a profound kinship with each other. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026 The harm this ban did to our clients, the First Amendment, and the public as a whole is profound. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 But while Creed-Miles didn’t come of age on Austen, her affection for the material is now quite profound. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 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
  • Pike committed the crime over an intense romantic jealousy of Slemmer, who allegedly attempted to steal her boyfriend’s attention.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Carnegie Hall seats well over 3,000 people, but this intense, no-frills performance film gives life to the old saying about feeling alone in a crowd.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • There’s as much effort gone into the food as there is the drinks menu, and the esoteric array of tropical flavors straddles both impressively.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Created in the 17th century, Japan’s Fujiko faith fuses Shinto and esoteric Buddhism in its reverence for Mount Fuji, the country’s highest peak.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of esoteric
Adjective
  • Meaning while its performance numbers may not draw in huge crowds, its sheer exclusivity might just do the trick.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The light turquoise gown was crafted from sheer fabric with floral embroidery throughout the design.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of sheer
Adjective
  • Both have built much of their appeal on opposition to the political establishment, the promise to wish away budget constraints, and deep hostility toward the European Union.
    — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Acting was his guiding passion, but his deep love for the avant-garde helped till the ground for the city’s theatrical renaissance that the 1984 Olympic Arts Festival catalyzed.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of deep
Adjective
  • Atrium is also offering day hospital programs in which patients receive intensive treatment and return home at night.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Because schools would otherwise use that money to buy equipment, the proposal would most affect two-year technical schools with equipment-intensive programs like welding or automotive programs.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of intensive
Adjective
  • In 2024, Michigan State launched Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional prenatal and infant cash program.
    — Mona Hanna, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Once a seller has an unconditional right to receive the proceeds, many planning opportunities may no longer be available.
    — D. Scott Kenik, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of unconditional
Adjective
  • His successor, Bennett, had been among its fiercest critics, raising the prospect that the arrangement might finally end.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The deadly fire erupted Saturday at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where fierce winds fueled flames that spread beyond the installation and into surrounding rural areas.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • Popular at American Chinese or Cajun-style Chinese restaurants, the sticky-sweet chicken is the utter definition of delicious, luring weary shoppers into food courts to find refuge from the bubblegum pink sweatpants and ripped denim.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
  • There’s a wonderful fraction of a second when the Villa fans in the Holte End have to adjust from impending despair to utter joy.
    — Amitai Winehouse, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of utter

Browse Nearby Words

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 19 Oct. 2026.

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