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

Additional signs and symptoms are more likely with acute exposure to higher levels of lead or chronic exposure. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 Sep. 2026

At the start of the war, many economists and analysts feared that the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz would provoke an acute energy crisis and economic downturn, or worse. — Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026

The influence is most acute in two photo-less works Wolfson has placed in the gallery’s center; both look like ramps that lead nowhere. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

More than half of Haiti’s population of 12 million are facing acute hunger. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026