1
2
3

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

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 Studies have demonstrated that women are more susceptible than men to diminished blood flow during acute stress events, and our microvascular response to stress is associated with poorer health outcomes. Carmen Rios, Flow Space, 12 May 2025 By the time the often young, always hopeful singer steps in front of the judges, there’s already an acute sense of investment in their success. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025 According to scientists at the University of Southern California (USC), overuse of acetaminophen is the leading cause of acute liver failure in US children. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 9 May 2025 Since the start of the year, more than 10,000 children have been treated for acute malnutrition, according to the World Health Organization. Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
  • Security clearance requirements limit the most sensitive jobs to U.S. citizens.
    Davis Winkie, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • This question asks for personal sensitive information that is protected by privacy laws.
    Ernesto Londoño, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • And yet, even in the face of these urgent challenges, there are those who still claim that the true purpose of college is something more abstract: the cultivation of character, the shaping of citizens, the appreciation of beauty and debate.
    Scott Pulsipher, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Advocates and outreach workers gathered at The Stoop Collaborative Monday to celebrate its opening and underscore the urgent needs of the region’s homeless population.
    Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • That evening, there was intense fighting between the Army and the R.S.F, but Wanis slipped outside anyway.
    Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
  • Losing someone the caliber of Soto’s track record stung the Yankees and certainly their fans based on the reaction of an intense Subway Series.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • With distrust running high, both sides have been keen not to appear weak, and economic analysts had low expectations of a breakthrough.
    Emma Farge, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • Afterward, the friend wanted to return to the hotel to rest again, but the OP was keen to keep exploring.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • With 4 million packages a day passing through American gateways using the de minimis exception, and around half of those shipments hailing from China, CBP is now contending with a much more intensive entry process for small shipments than it’s been accustomed to.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 13 May 2025
  • The department conducts an annual review of each state, and a more intensive one that’s supposed to be completed roughly every five years.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Creators should leverage strengths, choosing formats requiring minimal upkeep for quick returns.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
  • Kidney is quick to credit those who helped him along the way, especially his inner circle.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Their love and fierce loyalty toward one another is a high point of Season 2.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
  • Johnson’s selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school’s staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU’s legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.
    Kate Payne, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Utilizing exceptional command and a sharp plan of attack, Fedde dominated his former team in his first appearance back at Nationals Park since his final season with Washington in 2022.
    Katie Woo, New York Times, 10 May 2025
  • The bearish or negative divergence has been closely monitored, as in my A/D line analysis, a drop below support at line c would have forecasted a sharper decline.
    Tom Aspray, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on acute

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!