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
An estimated 132,000 children aged six months to five years are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition through June 2026, including 41,000 with severe cases, according to the IPC report.
—
Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2025
And experts of all skill levels may be unevenly distributed or simply unavailable—a shortage that is more acute in less affluent communities and lower-income countries.
—David Autor, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025
Exposure to Cs-137 alone can cause burns, acute radiation sickness, cancer and death.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
At least 30% of children 6 months to 5 years old suffer from acute malnutrition or wasting, based on a weight-to-height measurement; or 15% of that age group suffer from acute malnutrition based on the circumference of their upper arm.
—Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acute
Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2025
And experts of all skill levels may be unevenly distributed or simply unavailable—a shortage that is more acute in less affluent communities and lower-income countries.
—David Autor, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025
Exposure to Cs-137 alone can cause burns, acute radiation sickness, cancer and death.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
At least 30% of children 6 months to 5 years old suffer from acute malnutrition or wasting, based on a weight-to-height measurement; or 15% of that age group suffer from acute malnutrition based on the circumference of their upper arm.
—Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
-
The automaker is the latest British company to be hit by a cybersecurity incident in recent months amid a surge in cyber and ransomware attacks globally, as increasingly sophisticated threat actors disrupt operations and compromise sensitive data.—
Pushkala Aripaka,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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Stress has been building at the long-end of the yield curve, where investors are most sensitive to fiscal credibility.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Conversations about gun violence in Chicago can no longer focus solely on homicide and must be expanded to also integrate urgent matters of suicide prevention.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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This highlights the urgent need for organizations to prioritize employee well-being and create a more balanced, sustainable work culture.—
Clare Miller,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Some students and civil libertarians say that widespread surveillance has gone too far, especially in places like Ann Arbor, where protests against the Gaza War have drawn intense police interactions.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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Any effort to raise the voter threshold this year will face intense pushback from Democrats, who are likely to filibuster the proposal in the state Senate.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Jenna Ortega and her stylist Enrique Melendez clearly have a keen eye for affordable carry-alls, from under-$100 options to mid-range luxury finds.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
30 Aug. 2025
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Destiny players are keen to point out things that Destiny Rising does that Destiny 2 should be doing already, like crossbow and dual pistol weapon classes, clan housing and (the return of) sparrow racing.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Richard Wrangham’s research shows how cooking allowed humans to access more calories, enabling the expansion of energy-intensive activities like building and creating.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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The goal of the vaccine is to keep people out of the hospital, keep them out of the intensive-care unit, keep them out of the morgue.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Here is a quick tour through recent vision tech, with examples of prescription eyeglasses tailored to specific uses.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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Fessceruna 3-Piece Loungewear Set Fessceruna’s three-piece loungewear set is perfect for cozying up at home on the couch, running quick errands, and enduring long travel days.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The decision is the latest development in a fierce legal battle over the fate of over 600,000 Venezuelans living in the United States under Temporary Protected Status, which shields them from deportation to their homeland in turmoil and grants them the ability to work.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
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Especially in areas like the fintech world, where competition is extra fierce.—
Eugenia Mykuliak,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There was a sharp spike in job cuts during August, new data shows, as employers shed staff due to a worsening economic picture.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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Analysts Craig Moffett’s rating change follows a sharp rally for the tech giant.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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