Synonyms of acute

acute

adjective

ə-ˈkyüt 

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

• sensitive
• keen
• quick
• sharp
• delicate
• perceptive
• accurate
• fine
• subtle
• good
• precise
• piercing
• clear
• sensible
• discerning
• receptive
• hyperacute
• hypersensitive
• supersensitive
• oversensitive
• hair-trigger

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dull
• bad
• dulled
• fading
• insensitive
• dead
• insensible
• numb
• deadened
• dimmed
• inaccurate
• imperceptive
• imprecise

2

as in urgent

needing immediate attention

famine caused by an acute shortage of grain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• urgent
• intense
• emergent
• dire
• pressing
• critical
• compelling
• crying
• serious
• exigent
• imperative
• desperate
• immediate
• instant
• extreme
• imperious
• importunate
• burning
• severe
• clamant
• necessitous
• insistent
• overriding
• crucial
• dangerous
• hazardous
• life-and-death
• demanding
• precarious
• perilous
• explosive
• unstable
• grave
• vital

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minor
• incidental
• negligible
• trivial
• unimportant
• noncritical
• nonurgent
• low-pressure
• stable
• safe
• nonthreatening

3

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect

experiencing acute distress over the misunderstanding with her best friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intense
• intensive
• fierce
• ferocious
• deep
• terrible
• profound
• heavy
• furious
• violent
• explosive
• vicious
• fearful
• exquisite
• dreadful
• excruciating
• blistering
• vehement
• frightful
• ghastly
• fearsome
• keen
• heavy-duty
• intensified
• aggravated
• severe
• hard
• heightened
• hellacious
• almighty
• harsh
• concentrated
• enhanced
• magnified
• stressed
• deepened
• accentuated
• exhaustive
• thorough
• rigorous
• emphasized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moderate
• light
• weak
• soft
• feeble
• superficial
• shallow
• qualified
• decreased
• eased
• diminished
• toned (down)
• reduced
• moderated
• subdued
• alleviated
• lessened
• lightened
• abated

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective acute contrast with its synonyms?

The words keen and sharp are common synonyms of acute. While all three words mean "having or showing alert competence and clear understanding," acute implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination.

an acute sense of style

In what contexts can keen take the place of acute?

The synonyms keen and acute are sometimes interchangeable, but keen suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind.

a keen observer of the political scene

When could sharp be used to replace acute?

While in some cases nearly identical to acute, sharp implies quick perception, clever resourcefulness, or sometimes questionable trickiness.

sharp enough to spot a confidence game

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of acute

Like South Korea, there is acute exposure for Taiwan — key for advanced chip manufacturing and TSMC’s headquarters. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2026

While here, acute post-traumatic stress stemming from her childhood led to a hospitalization — and ultimately landed her in the foster care system. — Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

The track’s watery percussion and acute synth stabs carry all the implication of a dancefloor, even without a beat. — Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026

Chronic diastolic congestive heart failure was an underlying cause, and acute renal failure was also listed as a significant contributing condition. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026