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
Now, Arifioğlu said, the calls are for lower prices, even though the need to act has never been more acute.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
That was a particularly acute sensation against a Brentford team designed to pounce on any sliver of a mistake.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
In these circumstances, the centers work mainly to stabilize acute withdrawal symptoms rather than to home in on underlying factors that may drive substance use and possible return to use.
—Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
The Ventura County Medical Examiner classified Hernandez's death as a homicide, caused by acute ethanol intoxication.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acute
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
That was a particularly acute sensation against a Brentford team designed to pounce on any sliver of a mistake.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
In these circumstances, the centers work mainly to stabilize acute withdrawal symptoms rather than to home in on underlying factors that may drive substance use and possible return to use.
—Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
The Ventura County Medical Examiner classified Hernandez's death as a homicide, caused by acute ethanol intoxication.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
-
His sloped shoulders suggested bodily power that was sleepy and sly; his large head and dark, badly cut hair amplified the weight and solidity of him, but his lips were sensitive and a little slack, as if yearning for something he’d been long deprived of.—
Mary Gaitskill,
New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Derived from eucalyptus wood, the material is gentle on sensitive skin, manages moisture, and has a silky, luxe texture.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Writer-director Nia DaCosta makes one of 19th-century playwright Henrik Ibsen's most beloved plays, Hedda Gabler, fully urgent and relevant for a modern audience with this witty, sensual drama.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Our blueprint became to identify urgent pain points, practically apply AI, measure impact, and build from there.—
Danny Werfel,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The employee, a mother of two teen girls, warned about the filters and said the pressure on teen girls is intense.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But few, apart from salivating tech company executives, are particularly keen on the idea.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Fortunately, no shots were fired, nothing escalated, and the 20-year-old man was disarmed thanks to the keen eye of an off-duty Sacramento detective.—
Tori Apodaca,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These calculations are computationally intensive and only recently became feasible.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Modernizing manufacturing and automating industry will be energy-intensive.—
Stuart Loren,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
First, in-house manufacturing meant that its product development process took around 18 months, while competitors using third-party manufacturers could move at a much quicker pace.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In fact, one of the couples who were engaged had their pod love story mostly shown as a quick montage of conversations before they got engaged.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Born in 1941 to an unwed teenage mother in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson turned heads early with his fierce drive and athletic ability.—
Mark Whitaker,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Göransson saw off fierce competition, including Alexandre Desplat, a 13-time nominee and three-time winner of the category; the latter was nominated for his score for Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Use clean, sharp pruners to cut a smooth edge right above a living bud, lateral branch, or along the trunk where there is a ragged break.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Coupled with a sharp slowdown in the labor market, a massive voter revolt is gaining momentum heading into this year’s midterm elections.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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