1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
the keenness of the knife should tell you that it was sharpened recently a writer famous for the keenness of her wit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enthusiasm
urgent desire or interest
was looking forward to his birthday party with the keenness of a youngster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intelligence
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters
had the financial keenness to know that the stock was overvalued
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sensitiveness
the state or quality of being able to sense slight impressions or differences
there's an enhanced keenness of hearing that young mothers seem to develop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of keenness
Housing and homelessness is another key issue in Los Angeles, with voters expressing a keenness for it to be tackled.
—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
9 June 2026
Barcelona and Bayern’s keenness to acquire him underlines both the paucity of the top-level winger market, as well as his own unique characteristics.
—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
The keenness of my letdown was dismaying.
—
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
The talks signal keenness by both countries to maintain regular communication, The Wall Street Journal said.
—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
9 June 2026
Barcelona and Bayern’s keenness to acquire him underlines both the paucity of the top-level winger market, as well as his own unique characteristics.
—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
The keenness of my letdown was dismaying.
—
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
The talks signal keenness by both countries to maintain regular communication, The Wall Street Journal said.
—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keenness
Noun
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And after spending most of Sunday as the guy the crowd didn’t want to see close the deal, Clark didn’t respond with bitterness.
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Crisp and refreshing, the drink’s grapefruit bitterness was softened by carbonation, giving Mexico’s national cocktail a lively upgrade.
Noun
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More than one million workers participate, but enthusiasm fades during the Great Depression, signaling that such ownership is fragile without worker protections.
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And when the winning starts, the enthusiasm can leap at record speed.
Noun
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Forty ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler, a number still significantly lower than the average daily crossings before the war with Iran started in February.
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By allowing intelligence and learned capabilities to be shared across robot types, the platform aims to accelerate deployment, improve operational efficiency, and deliver a consistent experience across every aspect of hotel operations, claims Pudu.
Noun
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Issues could include insomnia, aggression, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to psychotropic medication and exacerbation of existing mental illness -- like anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.
-
The initial test flights showed that the aircraft handled better than expected despite the pitch sensitivity.
Noun
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The state averages about eight unprovoked bites each year, according to the FWC, which runs a statewide program to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property.
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Keeping bug spray handy can help protect against annoying bites, while placing citronella candles around your yard or patio can keep pests at bay, especially once the sun sets.
Noun
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Passionate about all things food and beverage, newness in flavor and technique quench my thirst for information, but so does learning about the people and places behind these movements.
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His thirst would be sated in the second half.
Noun
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To be sure, Maher’s ready wit and spontaneous repartee as a talk show host were central themes for the parade of chums who praised the honoree.
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Jade stalked Chelsea, but Charlotte Flair interfered and hit Cargill wit the belt.
Noun
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The Americans came out energized in the second half and a Berhalter banger from the edge of the penalty area tied it up 2-2 in the 49th minute.
-
The Samurai Blue have the edge on shots, 2-1, but Sweden has the lone shot on target so far through 25 minutes.
Cite this Entry
“Keenness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keenness. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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