profound delusion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profound delusion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep or significant false belief or misconception that someone holds. Example: "His conviction that he could fly without any assistance was a profound delusion that ultimately led to his downfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Their task is to listen in and lend support to a major ally, and their most profound delusion is that the major ally still gives a millionth of a damn what Britain stands for, what it has to say, or, to be honest, where it is.

The New Yorker

EDM plays host to a profound delusion about what electronic music and dance culture are.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Pitner is presented here as a man with profound delusions, but also as a hapless fellow, not entirely unsympathetic.

The New York Times - Books

"I think Ahmadinejad is someone who has profound delusions of grandeur, someone who is not content playing second fiddle to the Supreme Leader," says Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment in Washington DC.

BBC

In his morally abhorrent equivalences and swaggering falsity, Trump is united with the swastika-bearing bullies in a promulgation of hatred, an evasion of responsibility, and a profound, childlike delusion.

The New Yorker

This native confidence is likely to be functional: in a world of profound uncertainty, self-serving delusion probably helps people to get out of bed and chase their pet projects.

The New York Times - Health

In addition, factors associated with care in the ICU, such as the use of sedative and analgesic medications, have profound effects on memories, delusions, and confusion [ 9].

Critical Care

Our analytical brains fill comforted hearing that gene alleles are selected (delusion of the profound understanding).

Biology Direct

Perhaps it is the sobering up from the delusion of the American Dream, but to see such a profound change happening in over 600 attendees in the NJ congress alone is truly impressive.

Huffington Post

For me, The Picture of Dorian Gray is not just a clever supernatural melodrama, but also a profound text, a horrible vision of the power and frailty of human self-delusion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Delusion piled upon delusion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "profound delusion", ensure that the context clearly establishes the falseness of the belief being described. This phrase is most effective when highlighting the significant impact or consequences of holding such a belief.

Common error

Avoid using "profound delusion" in everyday conversations or informal writing. Its intensity is best reserved for situations where the delusion has significant implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound delusion" functions as a noun phrase where "profound" modifies the noun "delusion". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used to describe a deep or significant false belief. Examples show its use in contexts related to personal beliefs and societal perceptions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profound delusion" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a deep-seated and significant false belief. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is valid and applicable in English writing. While relatively rare, it appears predominantly in news and scientific contexts, lending itself to neutral to formal registers. When employing this phrase, it's best to ensure that the context clearly establishes the falseness and the significant impact of the belief being described. Alternatives such as "great delusion" or "deep-seated illusion" may be used to adjust the intensity or nuance. Be cautious of overuse in casual settings, as its seriousness is most impactful when the delusion has considerable implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

great delusion

Replaces "profound" with "great", altering the intensity of the delusion.

deep-seated illusion

Substitutes "delusion" with "illusion" and "profound" with "deep-seated", modifying the nuance.

significant misconception

Replaces the entire phrase with a more neutral term, altering the tone and emphasis.

fundamental misunderstanding

Uses "misunderstanding" instead of "delusion", shifting the focus to a lack of comprehension.

serious misapprehension

Employs "misapprehension", highlighting a flawed understanding, and "serious" as an intensifier.

grave fallacy

Replaces "delusion" with "fallacy", indicating a logical error, and "profound" with "grave", changing the emotional weight.

radical fantasy

Substitutes "delusion" with "fantasy", emphasizing imagination and unreality, and "profound" with "radical".

extreme self-deception

Focuses on the aspect of self-deception inherent in the delusion, adding specificity.

complete illusion

Emphasizes the completeness of the illusion, indicating a total lack of reality.

utter misbelief

Emphasizes the incorrectness of the belief, framing it as a false conviction.

FAQs

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

You can use "profound delusion" to describe a deeply held false belief. For example, "His belief that he was immortal was a "profound delusion" that led him to take unnecessary risks."

What are some alternatives to "profound delusion"?

Alternatives include "great delusion", "deep-seated illusion", or "significant misconception", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "profound delusion" a formal or informal phrase?

"Profound delusion" leans towards the formal side due to the intensity of "profound". It's suitable for academic papers, news reports, and serious discussions, but less appropriate for casual conversations.

What is the difference between a "profound delusion" and a simple "delusion"?

The addition of "profound" emphasizes the depth, significance, and impact of the delusion. A "profound delusion" is not just any false belief, but one that is deeply ingrained and has substantial consequences.