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 oral cavity became more compact, the jaw receded relative to the braincase and the angle between the oral cavity and the skull base became more acute.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Norovirus causes acute gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 29 May 2026
One infant went on to experience symptoms suggestive of acute measles meningoencephalitis and was hospitalized weeks later, outside the timeframe of the study.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
An autopsy report revealed that the actor's death resulted from the acute effects of ketamine, with contributing factors including drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine, a prescription medication used to treat opioid use disorder.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for acute
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Norovirus causes acute gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 29 May 2026
One infant went on to experience symptoms suggestive of acute measles meningoencephalitis and was hospitalized weeks later, outside the timeframe of the study.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
An autopsy report revealed that the actor's death resulted from the acute effects of ketamine, with contributing factors including drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine, a prescription medication used to treat opioid use disorder.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
-
Exfoliating sensitive skin, like mine, is a delicate dance.—
Christina Oehler,
InStyle,
31 May 2026
-
With that in mind, the experts advise introducing the formula gradually, especially for those with sensitive skin.—
Rosa Jisoo Pyo,
Vogue,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
The book does often feel like a recording of a mental jam session, but there is also a sense of being guided by a kind of hesitating yet urgent voice that needs to get things figured out.—
Craig Morgan Teicher,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
Drums echo off concrete walls, whistles slice through the night air, and thousands of voices gather into something loud and urgent.—
Radier Odhiambo,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Russia had vowed more intense attacks and warned foreign diplomats to abandon Kyiv.—
Elmira Aliieva,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
-
That funding faced intense scrutiny from a handful of Republicans, prompting senators to abandon it.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Those at the bar seemed interested in their drinks, while those at the tables seemed more keen on each other—or when their table at Daroco would be ready.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
Hermeus's Quarterhorse aircraft is still pushing the supersonic flight envelope, but the US Department of Defense is already so keen on the concept that it's awarded the company US$159 million to explore the military applications of the technology.—
David Szondy
June 04,
New Atlas,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
For Paul, dragging long sheets of metal was intensive.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
Distillation is a process in which a small, less resource-intensive model learns to mimic a large, expensive one.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
The area The property sits in the Anambas archipelago, an 80-minute flight from Batam, an Indonesian island that’s a quick boat ride from Singapore.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
In Campbell’s experience, the learning curve for padel is quicker than pickleball.—
Mindy Sink,
Denver Post,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Reddit is home to many of Civilization VII’s fiercest critics, but Test of Time also appears to be well received there, too.—
Barry Collins,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
She will be remembered for her loving generosity, fierce opinions, endless curiosity, unique style, and her powdered, almond, crescent cookies at Christmas, hence her name, Auntie Cookie.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
The entrepreneurs best positioned for the years ahead aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets or the sharpest marketing.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Fishermen say increasing competition has spurred a sharp rise in armed conflict, especially between fisherfolk from the Turkana and Dassanech ethnic groups.—
Tommy Trenchard,
NPR,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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