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
Ironically, when individuals who have experienced profound loss connect, there's an immediate, unspoken understanding—a shared language of loss.
—
Rebecca Soffer, Time, 10 May 2025
For an afternoon, at least, the Church's wounds and disagreements seemed to fade away, replaced by a profound sense of communion.
—Christopher Hale, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
The film spans two decades of a country in profound transformation with a new perspective into contemporary China and individual experience amid turbulent change.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Now in its 20th year, the $50,000 award honors Saar for her profound contributions to African American art, and her decades-long commitment to exploring identity, history, and the Black experience through sculpture, installation, and mixed media.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for profound
Rebecca Soffer, Time, 10 May 2025
For an afternoon, at least, the Church's wounds and disagreements seemed to fade away, replaced by a profound sense of communion.
—Christopher Hale, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
The film spans two decades of a country in profound transformation with a new perspective into contemporary China and individual experience amid turbulent change.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Now in its 20th year, the $50,000 award honors Saar for her profound contributions to African American art, and her decades-long commitment to exploring identity, history, and the Black experience through sculpture, installation, and mixed media.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for profound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profound
Adjective
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Yes, the tales of game-making can veer into the obscure and esoteric.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Baseball is a game with a history of strange and esoteric firsts, and Misner’s homer was the first time a player’s inaugural big league homer was an opening day walk-off.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Biden's physical and mental fitness has been the subject of intense scrutiny during and since his time in office, with questions about the former president's age and well-being ultimately forcing him to abandon his 2024 reelection bid.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
19 May 2025
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Yet the overall focus is on the utopian community orbiting around the intense figurehead.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Some of music’s biggest names (and harshest critics) have marveled at the sheer range of Darin’s work, which spanned everything from jazz, swing and pop to folk and country.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
22 May 2025
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Most advice about LinkedIn growth focuses on sheer numbers.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Simone is damaged and buoyant simultaneously, and the young actress shows a deep maturity in the portrayal of the character's complex mental and emotional state.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Organizations that view trust as something to be actively built rather than passively maintained will gain the social capital needed to weather controversies and drive deeper mission impact.—
Lynn Godfrey,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Ryan Murphy has found his Kennedys after an intensive casting search for the first installment of his new FX anthology series, American Love Story.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
13 May 2025
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The department conducts an annual review of each state, and a more intensive one that’s supposed to be completed roughly every five years.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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Trump offered to mediate the conflict and renewed his call for an unconditional ceasefire.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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Then, in Kyiv, Ukraine, France, Germany, the UK and Poland demanded an unconditional ceasefire for a month, and published a picture of the five countries’ leaders on the phone to President Trump.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Their love and fierce loyalty toward one another is a high point of Season 2.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
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Johnson’s selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school’s staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU’s legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.—
Kate Payne,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Trump, for his part, has shown no interest in Palestinian civilian life for its own sake (and has demonstrated utter disdain for domestic pro-Palestinian activists).—
Zack Beauchamp,
Vox,
12 May 2025
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Cricket is not even just fighting against other sports, but also its own with the slew of formats and franchise leagues creating utter confusion amid a congested calendar.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Profound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profound. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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