1
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences
dogs, with their acute sense of smell, are used for finding toxic substances undetectable by humans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
famine caused by an acute shortage of grain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
experiencing acute distress over the misunderstanding with her best friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of acute
The impact in Florida will be particularly acute: Of all 350,000 TPS holders living in the state, the Congressional Research Service estimates that about 225,000 are Venezuelan.
—
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
That number is not terribly surprising, given that the La Mesa medical facility treated the 10th-most acute strokes in the state and handled the largest volume in San Diego County in 2023, according to state data.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2025
The headlines on Iranian state television that evening were dominated by the acute energy and economic crisis plaguing the country.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 17 May 2025
The sudden heat spike, which was made more likely by the decades-long failure to stop burning fossil fuels, creates an acute danger for a populace not yet acclimatized to summer heat.
—Saul Elbein, The Hill, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for acute
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
That number is not terribly surprising, given that the La Mesa medical facility treated the 10th-most acute strokes in the state and handled the largest volume in San Diego County in 2023, according to state data.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2025
The headlines on Iranian state television that evening were dominated by the acute energy and economic crisis plaguing the country.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 17 May 2025
The sudden heat spike, which was made more likely by the decades-long failure to stop burning fossil fuels, creates an acute danger for a populace not yet acclimatized to summer heat.
—Saul Elbein, The Hill, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
-
These searches help keep digital communications and sensitive information safe.—
Jeremiah Bartz,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
-
The lightweight formula is fragrance-free — ideal for sensitive skin — and doubles as a primer thanks to its matte finish.—
Madison Yauger,
People.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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This category is broad and urgent—people are dealing with stress, sleep disorders, focus issues, and more.—
Tanya Benedicto Klich,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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Here's why and what happened CT officials issue urgent plea for help stopping ‘a plague’ in state waterways.—
Staff Reports,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Residents of Maoming, China were treated to a celestial light show earlier this week when a surprise fireball burst to life overhead, illuminating the city before disappearing in an intense flare of light.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
31 May 2025
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But Tranter and Bartlett said Trump may settle roughly into this range of having an approval rating between 43 percent and 47 percent given the intense polarization of the country, as has been common in the past couple administrations.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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If her body isn’t always willing, her mind and her heart are still keen on the sport, so Press makes her most valuable contributions now in the quiet of the locker room.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
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According to insiders, Ahuja still believes in Rothman and wasn’t keen on a big shake-up, not when the studio has momentum, is profitable and is about to undertake the ambitious and risky move of releasing all four of Sam Mendes’ Beatles films in April 2028.—
Peter Kiefer,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Ryan Murphy has found his Kennedys after an intensive casting search for the first installment of his new FX anthology series, American Love Story.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
13 May 2025
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The department conducts an annual review of each state, and a more intensive one that’s supposed to be completed roughly every five years.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
The original rat killer Published April 25, 2007 With one quick flick of his wrist, Scott Mellanby felled a rodent and became part of South Florida sports lore.—
Jeff Kleinman,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
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As with uptime, Bluehost's quick and reliable customer support continues to impress us in testing.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Caron was used to seeing my fiery side, the fierce competitor, the demanding coach.—
Jim Calhoun with Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
-
The feedback was fierce—storyboards dismantled, ideas shredded—but the environment was psychologically safe.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Yet in March 2024, despite a sharp rise in antisemitic attacks, the program’s budget was cut by $30.5 million, dropping from $305 million to $274.5 million.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2025
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The Sunday terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, two weeks after two Israeli Embassy employees were killed in Washington, D.C., highlights a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents that have occurred in the United States since 2020.—
Audrey Conklin,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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