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 amendments come out of an abundance of caution, in an effort to prevent acute kidney injury requiring intensive blood-cleaning hemodialysis treatment.
—
New Atlas, 23 July 2025
Though there is an uptick in COVID-19 cases in more than two dozen states, the CDC says the overall amount of people seeking care for acute respiratory illnesses is at a very low level.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 22 July 2025
People experiencing traumatic bereavement often endure a longer and more intense acute grief period.
—Liza Barros-Lane, The Conversation, 17 July 2025
Since then, more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to Reuters, and millions are suffering from acute malnutrition, starvation and illness.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for acute
New Atlas, 23 July 2025
Though there is an uptick in COVID-19 cases in more than two dozen states, the CDC says the overall amount of people seeking care for acute respiratory illnesses is at a very low level.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 22 July 2025
People experiencing traumatic bereavement often endure a longer and more intense acute grief period.
—Liza Barros-Lane, The Conversation, 17 July 2025
Since then, more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to Reuters, and millions are suffering from acute malnutrition, starvation and illness.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
-
Businesses cannot process sensitive data without obtaining consumer consent.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
There are some intense scenes During The Fantastic Four: First Steps, there are some intense scenes that may not be suitable for younger (or more sensitive) viewers.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
Sutton added that with higher participation in an opt-in system, emergency managers could use that channel for less urgent alerts and conserve IPAWS alerts for the most high-risk situations.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
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For many who’ve been on the ground preventing violence in their communities, the debate at the Capitol feels urgent.—
Andrea May Sahouri,
Freep.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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The team observed laser emissions in two distinct wavelengths for all color regions of the feathers' eyespots, with the green color regions emitting the most intense laser light.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
30 July 2025
-
In Naomi Alderman's contemporary work, the recognizable world is all but the same, except for the shocking revelation that teenage girls can now conduct electricity to cause intense physical pain or death to others.—
Robert English,
EW.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Joe, who has asthma, strongly opposes the implementation of mask mandates that Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) is keen to enforce.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
23 July 2025
-
That’s another substantive topic worthy of keen chatter.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Critics question whether a battery swap network—capital intensive, dependent on fleet adoption, and distributed across so many different markets—can scale profitably.—
Clay Chandler,
Fortune,
19 July 2025
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An intensive moisturiser that delivers maximum hydration, Revision’s DermProtect Barrier Defense™ also replenishes natural lipids, and enhances moisture retention.—
Angela Lei,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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Instead, use this time to wind down maybe by stretching, reading, journaling or even doing a quick emotional check-in.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Cutting the butter and cream cheese into smaller pieces and scattering them on top helps the pieces melt into the corn at a quicker and more even pace than if left whole.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
In the barrios of the American Southwest, chola girls perfected their look with dark lip liner, oversized flannels, and nameplate earrings, styling themselves with fierce precision that both declared loyalty and warded off erasure.—
Alexandra Jane,
Essence,
31 July 2025
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In the last few years, fierce controversies have often been sparked by commercials, with commentators seemingly viewing ad campaigns as the battleground for a never-ending culture war.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Colbert brought a sharper, politically critical timbre.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
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The find came during an impressive outing for the 36-year-old Democrat on Joe Rogan’s podcast in which the aspiring preacher espoused the same brand of sharp sound bytes that has earned him almost a million TikTok followers.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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