Definition of acutenext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective acute contrast with its synonyms?

The words keen and sharp are common synonyms of acute. While all three words mean "having or showing alert competence and clear understanding," acute implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination.

an acute sense of style

In what contexts can keen take the place of acute?

The synonyms keen and acute are sometimes interchangeable, but keen suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind.

a keen observer of the political scene

When could sharp be used to replace acute?

While in some cases nearly identical to acute, sharp implies quick perception, clever resourcefulness, or sometimes questionable trickiness.

sharp enough to spot a confidence game

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of acute Ingesting aloe leaf extract has been associated with acute hepatitis (liver inflammation). Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 21 June 2026 The problem is particularly acute in Danville, said Robert Mittelstaedt, a founder of Marin County e-bike advocacy nonprofit E-Bike Access, who helped gather data cited in the Mineta report. Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 21 June 2026 Amirhosein Khorgooi | Reuters Early signs that the Strait of Hormuz is reopening have eased the most acute threat to global energy supplies, but economic damages from the nearly four months of war will take months to unwind, analysts warned. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 19 June 2026 The downstream impact of the conflict has been acute in Asia, Europe, and Africa, where there is far greater reliance on fossil fuels coming from the Persian Gulf, and greater vulnerability to the soaring costs of energy, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals exported from the region. Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
  • The process is meant to mitigate the chance of any sensitive instruments being damaged, Katalyst said in a press release.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • Mars activates your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources, motivating you to tackle sensitive matters with courage and protect what truly matters.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • Jett is nonverbal and has a mental health condition, police said, making the search especially urgent.
    CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • Last month, many of those companies gathered alongside military officials to address what was clearly an urgent problem requiring novel solutions.
    Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • Indie Shakes managing director David Melville distills his production around scenes of intense conflict.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • As the planet warms, extreme heat events are becoming more common, intense and long-lasting.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • However, many board members were not keen on the idea given that the North Miami Ave property sits directly across from railroad tracks serving the Brightline high-speed passenger train.
    Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
  • For those more keen on refreshing their homes, our team also has plenty of decor and appliance picks—including a luxury coffee maker—to recommend.
    Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Housed in remote data centers whose energy-intensive maintenance perpetuates the changing environmental conditions that threaten Tuvalu’s existence, the attempt to redeposit territory digitally drives home the paradoxes, and costs, of storage.
    Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 26 June 2026
  • Qatari mediators returned to the Iranian capital for 17 hours of what the diplomat described as intensive negotiations.
    E. Eduardo Castillo, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Either way, Aestura’s Atobarrier 365 Ceramide Cream Mist is an easy way to give quick hydration to dry, stressed skin, thanks to an ultrafine spray packed with ceramides.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 June 2026
  • From California politics to safety concerns on Sacramento roads, here’s a quick digest of some of the top stories for June 23, 2026.
    Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • The 2023 arrest of her then-10-year-old cousin for urinating in public brought fierce condemnation.
    Bracey Harris, NBC news, 28 June 2026
  • For a party that prides itself on diversity, the clashes have exacerbated fierce debates over identity politics and long-standing rifts between progressives and moderates.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • Tourism in Albania has seen a sharp increase in recent years, with people relishing the nation’s vast, undeveloped coastline.
    Zana Cimili, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • Netanyahu, 76, has spent decades mastering political theater, sharp messaging and grand performances.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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