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
Julia Strandberg,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Artificial intelligence attached to camera systems can recognize with acuity the difference between people, animals, cars and anything else that moves.
—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
25 June 2026
Joe’s mental acuity, already visibly declining in 2024, has probably worsened.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
17 June 2026
Not everyone is as laudatory of the president’s age and mental acuity.
—
Linda Marx,
PEOPLE,
14 June 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 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
acuity
noun
Medical Definition
acuity
noun
