"Profound" and "deep" are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences in their usage and nuances:
He had a profound/deep sense of loss.
In this context, both "profound" and "deep" can be used to describe the intense and emotionally significant nature of the sense of loss. However, "profound" might imply a deeper intellectual or philosophical understanding of the loss, while "deep" may emphasize the emotional depth.
Peter gave him a long profound/deep look.
Here, "profound" and "deep" can both be used to describe a thoughtful, meaningful, or intense gaze from Peter. They are nearly interchangeable in this context.
This is a book full of profound/deep, original and challenging insights.
Both "profound" and "deep" can be used here to convey the depth and significance of the insights in the book. Again, they are quite interchangeable in this context.
In summary, "profound" often carries a connotation of depth in a more intellectual or philosophical sense, while "deep" is generally used to describe emotional or literal depth. However, the distinction between the two can be quite subtle, and in many cases, they can be used interchangeably depending on the nuance you want to convey.