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

She was initially diagnosed with acute liver failure, among other serious health issues. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026

Care is delayed until conditions become acute, increasing uncompensated care and financial pressure on already fragile hospitals. — Sas Mukherjee, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

May Lead to Kidney Injury Case reports have linked excessive energy drink consumption with acute kidney injury. — Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 10 July 2026

The racial and ethnic makeup of the district also deserves acute attention. — Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026