keen 1 of 3

adjective

ˈkēn How to pronounce keen (audio)
Definition of keennext
1
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences pilots with especially keen eyesight

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2
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin the keen wind gave me chapped lips

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3
as in sharpened
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something lanced the boil with a keen scalpel

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4
as in quick
having or showing quickness of mind readers who were keen enough to realize that the writer was being satirical

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5
as in excellent
of the very best kind that new digital camera sure is keen

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6
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest a keen hunger for fame and fortune in the fashion industry

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7
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect movies gave him keen enjoyment like nothing else

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keen

2 of 3

noun

as in wail
a crying out in grief the loud keens of the widows were heard throughout the war-ravaged city

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keen

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely victims of the disaster have been keening for weeks about the slowness of governmental aid

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2
as in to howl
to make a long loud mournful sound mourners keening for the victims of the bombing

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How does the adjective keen contrast with its synonyms?

The words acute and sharp are common synonyms of keen. While all three words mean "having or showing alert competence and clear understanding," keen suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind.

a keen observer of the political scene

In what contexts can acute take the place of keen?

The meanings of acute and keen largely overlap; however, acute implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination.

an acute sense of style

When would sharp be a good substitute for keen?

While the synonyms sharp and keen are close in meaning, 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 keen
Adjective
Europeans will also be keen to put on a unified front publicly, particularly over defense spending, according to Franke. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026 For Hammond, keen to avoid stomach bugs, those extra precautions meant supercharging cleaning rituals. — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Noun
The keen-eyed among our readers will notice that the ROG glasses are largely the same inside and out as the Xreal One Pro, which cost $649. — New Atlas, 19 May 2026 The song finds Abstract continuing to explore the contours of indie and alternative rock, with a simmering lo-fi guitar riff that gives way to the uneasy keen of a synth. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
Verb
Of course, Plant also used those keening high notes to express an appetite for destruction. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025 He’s been lauded for sounding like a vestige of another age — his supple, keening tenor the result of years of apprenticeship to the Pakistani artists Ustad Saami and Farida Khanum. — Emily Lordi Philip Cheung, New York Times, 10 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for keen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keen
  1. sensitive
  2. biting
  3. sharp
  4. quick
  5. excellent
  6. excited
  7. intense
  8. wail
Adjective
  • High levels of fine particulate matter in the air from wildfire smoke may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as children and people with heart or lung conditions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
  • Right on the heels of Microsoft releasing a record number of security patches, a researcher has published exploit code that can enable low-privilege Windows accounts to make sensitive changes to administrator accounts.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • The pacing is more frenetic, the narration more biting, the flashbacks more jarring, and the comedowns much harsher.
    — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026
Definition of biting
Adjective
  • In addition to the sharp shape, the coffee brown shade gives the bag a more elevated feel.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 6 July 2026
  • During male puberty, rising testosterone drives the cartilage to grow forward and meet at a sharper angle, while simultaneously lengthening the vocal folds and vocal tract housed just behind it.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of sharp
Adjective
  • Built on volume and consistency Beyond cones, Handel’s offers hurricanes, shakes, sundaes and specialty creations that turn a quick stop into a full dessert event.
    — Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026
  • For governments approved for assistance, federal funding could get there quicker — within 30 days of a federal disaster declaration, instead of waiting months or years for reimbursements that are based on proof of expenditures.
    — David A. Lieb, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • Rocket is known for its excellent customer service and easy-to-use website and mobile app.
    — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 13 July 2026
  • Bagworm is excellent and I am thrilled Oscilloscope will be bringing this cinematic fever dream to a theater near you.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 13 July 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • Nguyen was excited to enjoy a warm summer outdoors before the smoke left her hesitant to step outside for her routine runs to the National Mall and daily walks with her dog.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • McKeon was excited to explore her chemistry with executive producer Gina Wendkos, who worked on the show alongside Tom Palmer, Jonathan Axelrod, James Widdoes and Amy Sherman-Palladino.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • Research shows warming temperatures from burning coal, oil and gas are making fires more frequent and intense.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
  • After an intense tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, in which matches have been played in extreme heat and sometimes at altitude, freshness come Sunday could certainly be crucial.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of intense
Noun
  • Mourners beat their chests rhythmically in the intense summer heat, the wails of women cutting through the noise as the body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was unveiled beneath a glass case at the Grand Mosalla.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • After a second of consideration, Naim slams the grate shut to the monster’s wails, and the audience’s relief.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026
Definition of wail

Phrases Containing keen

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keels (over)
keen
keened
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Cite this Entry

“Keen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keen. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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