acuity
noun
Did you know?
Do you have acuity or sensitivity?
Acuity is nearly synonymous with at least one sense of sensitivity, yet, as is so often the case with closely related words, there are subtle differences worth observing before you substitute one of these words for the other. Acuity does refer to a form of sensitivity, but it is most often applied to the perceptual senses (as in “visual acuity” or “auditory acuity”). It is also frequently used in reference to the intellect (as in “mental acuity”). Sensitivity has a broader range of meanings than acuity does, including “the capacity of being easily hurt.” It may be used of inanimate objects such as radios (“the sensitivity of the instruments was carefully calibrated”), a context in which acuity is unusual.
Examples of acuity in a Sentence
Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
When a clinician on a high-acuity team at AllHealth Network had to step away unexpectedly due to a family emergency, there could have been a negative ripple effect on the clients in their care.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
The debate reached a critical moment for Democrats in 2024, when President Biden withdrew from his reelection campaign under pressure over his age and mental acuity.
—Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Its sequel had the potential to do something similar, with even more wincing acuity.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for acuity
Cite this Entry
“Acuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acuity. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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acuity
noun
Medical Definition
acuity
noun
