subacute
adjective
sub·acute
ˌsəb-ə-ˈkyüt 
1
: having a tapered but not sharply pointed form
subacute leaves
2
a
: falling between acute and chronic in character especially when closer to acute
subacute endocarditis
b
: less marked in severity or duration than a corresponding acute state
subacute pain
subacutely
adverb
Examples of subacute in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sinusitis creeps into the subacute category when symptoms last a bit longer from four and 12 weeks.
—
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
The grants include $65 million for Los Angeles to refurbish the Metropolitan State Hospital campus in Norwalk into a psychiatric subacute facility for transitional-age youths, a big and glaring need for the region.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
Somewhere in the middle are subacute coughs, which last between three and eight weeks, says Dr. Soo Jung Cho, a pulmonologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
—Sarah Klein, Time, 13 May 2025
In those who develop symptoms, the infection is generally subacute.
—Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 2 July 2024
An acute cough lasts no longer than three weeks, while a subacute cough lasts from three to eight weeks.2
Acute coughs also tend to be less serious, clear up on their own, and do not require a visit to a healthcare provider.
—Claire Gillespie, Health, 17 Mar. 2024
In 2022, the CDC published clinical practice guidelines for healthcare providers that treat acute, subacute and chronic pain.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
Now home to more than 300 residents receiving subacute skilled care, long-term custodial care and Alzheimer’s special care, the facility has gone through major expansions in 1964, 1979, and 1991.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2023
My anecdotal experience tends to line up with research on acupuncture’s efficacy: There’s moderate evidence to suggest acupuncture provides relief of chronic and subacute low-back pain when compared with a placebo, according to a recent meta-analysis.
—Amy Wilkinson, Women's Health, 12 July 2023
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Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
The grants include $65 million for Los Angeles to refurbish the Metropolitan State Hospital campus in Norwalk into a psychiatric subacute facility for transitional-age youths, a big and glaring need for the region.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
Somewhere in the middle are subacute coughs, which last between three and eight weeks, says Dr. Soo Jung Cho, a pulmonologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
—Sarah Klein, Time, 13 May 2025
In those who develop symptoms, the infection is generally subacute.
—Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 2 July 2024
An acute cough lasts no longer than three weeks, while a subacute cough lasts from three to eight weeks.2
Acute coughs also tend to be less serious, clear up on their own, and do not require a visit to a healthcare provider.
—Claire Gillespie, Health, 17 Mar. 2024
In 2022, the CDC published clinical practice guidelines for healthcare providers that treat acute, subacute and chronic pain.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
Now home to more than 300 residents receiving subacute skilled care, long-term custodial care and Alzheimer’s special care, the facility has gone through major expansions in 1964, 1979, and 1991.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2023
My anecdotal experience tends to line up with research on acupuncture’s efficacy: There’s moderate evidence to suggest acupuncture provides relief of chronic and subacute low-back pain when compared with a placebo, according to a recent meta-analysis.
—Amy Wilkinson, Women's Health, 12 July 2023
Cite this Entry
“Subacute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subacute. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
subacute
adjective
sub·acute
ˌsəb-ə-ˈkyüt
1
: falling between acute and chronic in character especially when closer to acute
subacute endocarditis
2
: less marked in severity or duration than a corresponding acute state
subacute pain
subacutely
adverb
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