profound
1 of 2adjective
pro·found prə-ˈfau̇nd 
prō-
1
a
: having intellectual depth and insight
b
: difficult to fathom or understand
2
a
: extending far below the surface
b
: coming from, reaching to, or situated at a depth : deep-seated
a profound sigh
3
a
: characterized by intensity of feeling or quality
b
: all encompassing : complete
profound sleep
profound deafness
profoundly
prə-ˈfau̇n(d)-lē
adverb prō-
profoundness
prə-ˈfau̇n(d)-nəs
noun prō-
profound
2 of 2noun
pro·found prə-ˈfau̇nd
prō-
archaic
: something that is very deep
specifically : the depths of the sea
Synonyms
Adjective
- abstruse
- arcane
- deep
- esoteric
- hermetic
- hermetical
- recondite
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective Here, for the first time, a journalist gains access to the archive of one of the most comprehensive longitudinal studies in history. Its contents, as much literature as science, offer profound insight into the human condition—and into the brilliant, complex mind of the study's longtime director, George Vaillant. 
Joshua Wolf Shenk, Atlantic, June 2009 This isn't escapism, or denial of grief; it is acceptance of the facts of life, the map of profound relationship to the grief that is part of life … Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans Matters, 2005 The status of women, though probably the most profound single difference between the two civilizations, attracted far less attention than such matters as guns, factories and parliaments. Bernard Lewis, What Went Wrong?, 2002 Despite all the respect, it was hard not to feel a twinge of schadenfreude at O'Hara's fall from esteem, which had caused him profound bitterness. Kingsley Amis, Memoirs, 1991 His knowledge of history is profound. Her books offer profound insights into the true nature of courage. the profound mysteries of outer space a profound sense of loss His paintings have had a profound effect on her own work. See More
Joshua Wolf Shenk, Atlantic, June 2009 This isn't escapism, or denial of grief; it is acceptance of the facts of life, the map of profound relationship to the grief that is part of life … Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans Matters, 2005 The status of women, though probably the most profound single difference between the two civilizations, attracted far less attention than such matters as guns, factories and parliaments. Bernard Lewis, What Went Wrong?, 2002 Despite all the respect, it was hard not to feel a twinge of schadenfreude at O'Hara's fall from esteem, which had caused him profound bitterness. Kingsley Amis, Memoirs, 1991 His knowledge of history is profound. Her books offer profound insights into the true nature of courage. the profound mysteries of outer space a profound sense of loss His paintings have had a profound effect on her own work. See More Recent Examples on the Web Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022 The song’s power comes in part from the fact that it was born from profound personal tragedy. Robert Marovich, WSJ, 10 Sep. 2022 Will this be a temporary, fixable issue or a drop that lingers with profound educational and economic consequences for generations to come? Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 Denying it only shows a lack of appreciation for the profound long-term potential of the Longhorns, and maybe even the history of Texas, too. Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2022 In the quest for data, the image set used to train Stable Diffusion includes millions of pieces of art gathered from living artists without consultation with the artists, which raises profound ethical questions about authorship and copyright. Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 8 Sep. 2022 The queen’s steady presence symbolized stability during a period of profound change. Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Sep. 2022 Nevertheless, a profound love for the character of Thor as well as numerous behind-the-scenes stories about the strain on VFX artists lit a spark for conversation around the movie. Carson Burton, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 Shabir believes video games have the ability to create a profound, lifelong impacts. Jonathan Lee, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 See More
Adjective
Banksy is known for his unique style of stenciling and for his profound statements on migration, militarism and modern politics. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022 The song’s power comes in part from the fact that it was born from profound personal tragedy. Robert Marovich, WSJ, 10 Sep. 2022 Will this be a temporary, fixable issue or a drop that lingers with profound educational and economic consequences for generations to come? Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 Denying it only shows a lack of appreciation for the profound long-term potential of the Longhorns, and maybe even the history of Texas, too. Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2022 In the quest for data, the image set used to train Stable Diffusion includes millions of pieces of art gathered from living artists without consultation with the artists, which raises profound ethical questions about authorship and copyright. Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 8 Sep. 2022 The queen’s steady presence symbolized stability during a period of profound change. Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Sep. 2022 Nevertheless, a profound love for the character of Thor as well as numerous behind-the-scenes stories about the strain on VFX artists lit a spark for conversation around the movie. Carson Burton, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 Shabir believes video games have the ability to create a profound, lifelong impacts. Jonathan Lee, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French parfunt, profond deep, from Latin profundus, from pro- before + fundus bottom — more at pro-, bottom
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1621, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
profound
adjective
pro·found prə-ˈfau̇nd
1
: having or showing great knowledge and understanding
a profound thinker
2
: very deeply felt
profound sorrow
profound
adjective
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- esoteric
- deep
- ambiguous
- recondite
- abstruse
- complicated
- mystical
- arcane
- complex
- confusing
- hermetic
- scholarly
- academic
- enigmatic
- unfathomable
- erudite
- mysterious
- mystic
- hermetical
- incomprehensible
- uncanny
- cryptic
- enigmatical
- learned
- perplexing
- baffling
- inscrutable
- bewildering
- academical
- puzzling
- unanswerable
- unintelligible
- mystifying
- orphic
- confounding
- unknowable
- pedantic
- disorienting
- impenetrable
- hard
- darkling
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- superficial
- simple
- easy
- shallow
- straightforward
- obvious
- understandable
- apparent
- comprehensible
- facile
- intelligible
- distinct
- evident
- clear
- manifest
- lucid
- plain
- fathomable
- transparent
- perspicuous
- clear-cut
2
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect a profound silence fell over the audience after the last note had sounded Synonyms & Similar Words
- intense
- deep
- intensive
- terrible
- fierce
- ferocious
- acute
- heavy
- exquisite
- violent
- furious
- explosive
- excruciating
- dreadful
- vehement
- fearful
- frightful
- vicious
- ghastly
- heightened
- fearsome
- blistering
- almighty
- hard
- intensified
- severe
- keen
- harsh
- deepened
- hellacious
- aggravated
- concentrated
- accentuated
- enhanced
- emphasized
- heavy-duty
- thorough
- exhaustive
- magnified
- stressed
- rigorous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- light
- moderate
- superficial
- soft
- feeble
- weak
- shallow
- qualified
- decreased
- diminished
- eased
- toned (down)
- subdued
- moderated
- reduced
- lessened
- lightened
- alleviated
- abated
3
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions a profound dislike of frauds and phonies Synonyms & Similar Words
- sheer
- unconditional
- utter
- simple
- absolute
- pure
- complete
- total
- definite
- very
- real
- outright
- damn
- huge
- deadly
- damned
- perfect
- thoroughgoing
- unmitigated
- stark
- thorough
- categorical
- dreadful
- downright
- endless
- unadulterated
- genuine
- unqualified
- unalloyed
- stone
- constant
- blank
- consummate
- categoric
- eternal
- blooming
- crashing
- horrible
- regular
- clean
- plumb
- terrible
- extraordinary
- fair
- extreme
- flat-out
- bodacious
- rank
- straight-out
- arrant
- authentic
- perpetual
- out-and-out
- flat
- dead
- all-out
- undying
- classic
- unremitting
- veritable
- supreme
- hopeless
- terrific
- main
- habitual
- unrestricted
- frightful
- confirmed
- superlative
- inveterate
- surpassing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- uncertain
- doubtful
- questionable
- dubious
- restricted
- qualified
- equivocal
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- deep
- unfathomable
- vast
- abysmal
- immeasurable
- bottomless
- infinite
- boundless
- limitless
- inestimable
- endless
- abyssal
- unlimited
- measureless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- superficial
- surface
- shallow
- level
- smooth
- even
- limited
- skin-deep
- depthless
- horizontal
- finite
- shoal
- flat
- confined
- plane
- two-dimensional
- restricted
- flush
- measured