profound darkness

USAGE SUMMARY

"profound darkness" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a deep or intense absence of light, both literally and metaphorically. Example: "The cave was filled with a profound darkness that swallowed all sound." Alternative expressions include "deep darkness" and "intense darkness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But his technique, built on kinetic streams of repeated musical cells, is also capable of capturing profound darkness.

The New York Times - Arts

The Solidarity movement, in its sixteen months of legal existence, was a light & only the most profound darkness could result from its being extinguished, even temporarily.

The New Yorker

You know it by now: a smoke ring, an orange doughnut, a blurry circlet of light closed around a profound darkness.

The Washington Post

"In the profound darkness, stars wheeled like slow-motion fireworks; the moon was the battered face of a Belgian trader eyeing his spoils".

The New York Times - Books

When night comes, the vast majority of this 100-mile long, 35-mile wide island plunges into profound darkness, exposing the impotence of a long-troubled power grid that was tattered by Maria's winds and rains.

The Washington Post

It grew much darker and blacker in vilest intensity with coagulated punch-ups going oddly unnoticed due to the annoying and most profound darkness that at least cost nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But the profound Shakesperean darkness is in The Tempest, a play played indoors, like all the late plays, and like them, full of ambiguous reconciliation.

The Guardian - Books

The race at the Yas Marina Circuit ends in twilight, a desert dusk, and for Hamilton there would have been an even more profound sense of darkness, an abyss, a gloom that might have entered his very spirit and soul, if he had not won the championship after dominating most of the season.

The Guardian - Sport

We are also aware of profound links between physical darkness and existential darkness: As the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, moods often shift, worries often mount and hope often wanes.

Huffington Post

Mr. Ban, and to lead the United Nations in a new and positive direction at this time of profound danger and gathering darkness.

Huffington Post

Viktor Frankl wrote Man's Search for Meaning after surviving one of the more profound encounters with human darkness - being a prisoner in the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profound darkness" to create a sense of mystery, fear, or the unknown in descriptive writing. It effectively conveys not just the absence of light, but also a deeper, more significant lack of visibility, understanding, or hope.

Common error

Avoid using "profound darkness" merely to describe a dark room or night. The phrase implies more than just a lack of light; it suggests a deeper emotional or symbolic weight. Reserve it for situations where the darkness is particularly significant or meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound darkness" primarily functions as a noun phrase that describes a state or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a deep or intense absence of light, whether literal or metaphorical. The adjective "profound" intensifies the noun "darkness", lending it a more significant weight.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Books

20%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Guardian

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profound darkness" is a grammatically sound and evocative phrase used to describe a deep or intense absence of light, both literally and metaphorically. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to create a strong sensory and emotional impact, often associated with mystery, fear, or despair. While its frequency is uncommon, it finds prominent usage in news media and literary contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. To avoid misuse, reserve it for situations where the darkness is not just a physical state but carries significant symbolic weight. Explore alternatives like "deep shadow" or "utter blackness" to fine-tune your descriptive precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter blackness

Emphasizes the complete lack of light, heightening the visual aspect of the absence of light.

overwhelming darkness

Focuses on the powerful and dominating nature of the darkness, suggesting it is all-encompassing.

deep shadow

Focuses more on the literal absence of light and presence of shadow, rather than the intensity or depth.

complete obscurity

Stresses the lack of clarity or visibility, emphasizing the unknown or hidden aspects.

absolute shadow

Highlights the definitive and unyielding nature of the darkness, reinforcing its completeness.

intense gloom

Highlights the emotional or atmospheric quality of the darkness, suggesting a heavy or oppressive feeling.

impenetrable gloom

Highlights the inability to see or understand through the darkness, suggesting a sense of mystery or concealment.

abyssal night

Evokes a sense of vastness and depth, similar to the ocean's abyss, emphasizing the darkness's overwhelming quality.

extreme dimness

Emphasizes a minimal presence of light, rather than a complete absence, focusing on the subdued illumination.

bottomless pit of despair

Metaphorically represents the intense feeling of hopelessness and negativity associated with darkness.

FAQs

How can I use "profound darkness" in a sentence?

You can use "profound darkness" to describe a physical space, such as "The forest was shrouded in "profound darkness"," or to describe a more metaphorical state, like "The country was plunged into a "profound darkness" after the dictator took power."

What is a similar phrase to "profound darkness"?

Similar phrases include "deep shadow", "utter blackness", or "intense gloom". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "deep darkness" instead of "profound darkness"?

Yes, "deep darkness" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "profound darkness". "Profound" adds a sense of depth and significance, but "deep" can be used interchangeably in many contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "profound darkness" metaphorically?

It's appropriate to use "profound darkness" metaphorically when describing a situation, feeling, or period characterized by ignorance, despair, or a lack of understanding. For example, "The scandal cast a "profound darkness" over the political landscape."