acuity
noun
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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
John Meyer, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
His words and behavior drew constant criticism from Republicans who questioned his mental acuity.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
That was conducted by Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News contributor who had questioned Hillary Clinton’s physical ability to serve as president in 2016 and later urged the Biden White House to test the then-president’s cognitive acuity.
—Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
But others have questioned Trump’s health, especially his mental acuity, and Democrats made a go of turning it into a campaign issue last fall.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acuity
Cite this Entry
“Acuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acuity. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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acuity
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acuity
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