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
Although older adults typically have fewer acute one-time episodes, they are more often faced with chronic stress such as illness, financial insecurity, caregiving responsibilities as well as loneliness, loss and grief and even retirement.
—
Helen Dennis, Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, there’s an acute shortage of skilled tradesmen around the country.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
With India facing an acute energy supply crunch, Washington is now pressing for those intentions to turn into near-term commitments.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2026
Haitian continue to struggle to find enough to eat, with more than half of the country’s nearly 12 million residents expected to experience high levels of acute hunger between now and June, a new report said.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acute
Helen Dennis, Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, there’s an acute shortage of skilled tradesmen around the country.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
With India facing an acute energy supply crunch, Washington is now pressing for those intentions to turn into near-term commitments.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2026
Haitian continue to struggle to find enough to eat, with more than half of the country’s nearly 12 million residents expected to experience high levels of acute hunger between now and June, a new report said.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
-
This was essentially a copy of the main laser beam, used as a sensitive probe to detect tiny fluctuations that the main system couldn’t easily see.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Berries, leafy greens, and other fresh fruits and vegetables are also particularly sensitive to temperature fluctuations.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Martha Stewart,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Later, as Mercury joins Mars, conversations speed up and action feels urgent.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Lawmakers issue urgent warnings.—
Dan Romito,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
No injuries were reported in the blaze and no structures were threatened, despite an extensive list of evacuation orders and warnings that were issued at the fire's most intense point.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Combining creatine with electrolytes may improve hydration and exercise performance, especially during intense or prolonged workouts.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the royal gown that the Queen wore in Pakistan is a vivid example of the kind of soft power that can be exerted by a head of state who is otherwise without executive or legislative potency, especially one who takes a keen interest in international affairs, as Elizabeth II clearly did.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
States keeping an eye on their budgets aren't keen to give up revenue to help passersby and commercial drivers.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Residents returning to southern villages and Beirut suburbs find entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, with buildings flattened and infrastructure destroyed by weeks of intensive strikes.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
One such system required only 90 million Toffoli gates, a resource-intensive operation that’s currently a prohibitively major challenge to deliver.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Moon’s square to Mars can bring quick irritation or pressure to act too fast, especially in conversations.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The 35-year-old striker has not normally started two games in quick succession this season.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ganesh’s exit from the show was announced earlier this month, sparking a fierce wave of pushback from fans of the HBO show.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Apr. 2026
-
That sum would amount to more than 10 times what President Obama released to Iran under a 2015 nuclear deal, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, that was the subject of fierce Republican criticism in the decade since.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That level of support marks a sharp escalation from previous efforts.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Kirby said that an impromptu office nap is his trick to staying sharp over his decades-long career in business.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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