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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of acute
Though conditions are more acute in Myanmar due to the civil war, experts warn the chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz could also dent rice production across the region – with potentially huge shocks for food security.
—
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 16 May 2026
Some works achieve this through untrammeled beauty; others, very often, do so through expressions of acute pain.
—Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
Nigeria’s potential upside is larger, though infrastructure bottlenecks remain acute despite the launch of the $20 billion Dangote Refinery, which still does not fully meet domestic fuel demand.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 15 May 2026
Not all lilies are equally toxic Only true lilies (Lilium species) and daylilies (Hemerocallis species) can cause acute kidney failure in cats.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for acute
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 16 May 2026
Some works achieve this through untrammeled beauty; others, very often, do so through expressions of acute pain.
—Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
Nigeria’s potential upside is larger, though infrastructure bottlenecks remain acute despite the launch of the $20 billion Dangote Refinery, which still does not fully meet domestic fuel demand.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 15 May 2026
Not all lilies are equally toxic Only true lilies (Lilium species) and daylilies (Hemerocallis species) can cause acute kidney failure in cats.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
-
Auditors typically treat unattributable privileged actions as accountability gaps, because the framework expects sensitive operations to trace back to an accountable individual rather than an autonomous system.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
In addition, some companies and governments may pair that with quantum key cryptography, particularly for highly sensitive information.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
That argument has a quietly urgent edge.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
That mission became increasingly urgent through the Parents' Network, an initiative created to support families whose children have been harmed by social media platforms and to connect them with others going through similar situations.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
What sets this masa harina apart is its distinct, intense corn flavor.—
Inés Anguiano,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 May 2026
-
Being confined to a wooden chair, wearing that impressive multilayered costume, in the intense heat of Gran Canaria.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Both countries are keen to boost that number, though where the White House’s red line is drawn — particularly around cutting-edge tech and AI components — will be key.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
-
So there’s been keen interest in McConaughey’s strategy.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Rice University’s Kinder Institute study found that newcomer students in the kindergarten through fifth grade age range who are eligible for intensive newcomer English programs experience a measurable academic boost, lasting up to three years after eligibility.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
-
And it is currently made, almost everywhere in the world, through a process that is energy-intensive, waste-heavy, and engineered for an environment with almost no environmental regulation.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Airy and breathable, these temperature-regulating pants feature an elastic waistband that’s quick and easy to pull on, and comfortable enough to wear for hours on busy travel days.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
-
Sharpen the service with a quick in-room tutorial on lights, a/c, curtains, and handy bedside tablet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Elsewhere, Juventus was roundly jeered after losing 2-0 at home to fierce rivals Fiorentina, while Como held on for a 1-0 win over Parma to leave Cesc Fàbregas’ team still in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League just seven years after playing in Italy's fourth division.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
-
In the remote native villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, on the coast of the Bering Sea, Halong’s fierce flooding lifted homes off their foundations and carried them down a river with people still inside.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Double-bass glissandos hint at hands grubbing in the earth, while abrupt moments of concerted action—notably, an accordion wheezing out an F-sharp-minor chord—suggest flickering signals and transmissions.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
The summit will take place amid a sharp sell-off in global bond markets.—
Hugh Leask,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
