What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Profound vs Trenchant - What's the difference?

profound | trenchant |

In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between profound and trenchant

is that profound is (obsolete) to dive deeply; to penetrate while trenchant is (obsolete) fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp.

As adjectives the difference between profound and trenchant

is that profound is descending far below the surface; opening or reaching to great depth; deep while trenchant is (obsolete) fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp.

As a noun profound

is (obsolete) the deep; the sea; the ocean.

As a verb profound

is (obsolete) to cause to sink deeply; to cause to dive or penetrate far down.

profound

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Descending far below the surface; opening or reaching to great depth; deep.
  • * (rfdate),
    • A gulf profound
  • Very deep; very serious
  • Intellectually deep; entering far into subjects; reaching to the bottom of a matter, or of a branch of learning; thorough; as, a profound investigation or treatise; a profound scholar; profound wisdom.
  • *
  • Characterized by intensity; deeply felt; pervading; overmastering; far-reaching; strongly impressed; as, a profound sleep.
  • * (rfdate),
    • Profound sciatica
  • * (rfdate),
    • Of the profound corruption of this class there can be no doubt.
  • Bending low, exhibiting or expressing deep humility; lowly; submissive; as, a profound bow.
  • * (rfdate)
    • What humble gestures! What profound reverence!

    Noun

    (-)
  • (obsolete) The deep; the sea; the ocean.
    • God in the fathomless profound / Hath all this choice commanders drowned. Sandys .
  • (obsolete) An abyss.
    • (Milton)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To cause to sink deeply; to cause to dive or penetrate far down.
    • (Sir Thomas Browne)
  • (obsolete) To dive deeply; to penetrate.

    • Related terms

    * profundity * profoundness ----

    trenchant

    English

    Alternative forms

    * trenchaunt (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp.
  • *1663 ,
  • *:The trenchant blade, Toledo trusty, / For want of fighting was grown rusty, / And ate into itself, for lack / Of somebody to hew and hack.
  • (figuratively) Keen]]; [[bite, biting; vigorously effective and articulate; severe; as, trenchant wit.
  • *1899 ,
  • *:His eyes, of the usual blue, were perhaps remarkably cold, and he certainly could make his glance fall on one as trenchant and heavy as an axe.