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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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of keen
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026
The Marcharts brought the idea of a more EV-friendly caravan to Dethleffs, undoubtedly one of the more receptive longtime caravan builders thanks to the keen eco focus of its aforementioned Destination Future program.
—New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2026
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
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
Adjective
Since these computations cannot be verified by another system, scientists are keen on developing error-correction capabilities within the quantum computer instead.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026
The Marcharts brought the idea of a more EV-friendly caravan to Dethleffs, undoubtedly one of the more receptive longtime caravan builders thanks to the keen eco focus of its aforementioned Destination Future program.
—New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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
The sport's powerhouse India did not want to host another event, with Zimbabwe - emerging as a destination for major tournaments - and Sri Lanka keen but bypassed for the UAE, a reliable alternative that doubles as headquarters for the sport's governing body.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
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
Adjective
-
The commission said the report overlooks other time-sensitive cases that don't require intake appointments.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Cold conditions may damage or kill sensitive crops, plants, and vegetation if appropriate precautions are not taken.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Morbidly Jewish finds Raanan at his most biting, acerbic, angry, Jewish, and, as always…loud.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The conservative activist’s 42-minute video posted the day after Christmas quickly spread, prompting stepped up immigration enforcement, frozen federal funds and more biting rhetoric against the Somali community from President Donald Trump.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Hence the nature of our fear, the seamless way in which the AI can produce a quick copy, if not literature.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Bathroom counters are quick to collect stains from makeup, skincare, and toothpaste.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There is some excellent location-shooting in downtown Los Angeles during the climax, seen through the lens of a bodycam or quadcopter or drone camera.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The soft flannel top and plush faux shearling fleece underside provide excellent heat retention for serious coziness.—
Jacquelyn McGilvray,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Scherzinger glowed with an excited expression, her arms raised again in the air.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
A lot of us are excited to refresh our spaces in the new year.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Weather forecast Baltimore After a brief break in the intense cold across Maryland through early Friday afternoon, bitterly cold air blows back into the Mid-Atlantic late Friday afternoon and evening.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Formula is sticky If many exfoliating facial toners feel too intense, this one is a calmer alternative.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Telecasters and hollow-body guitars wail cover songs on Beale Street.—
Joe Sills,
Forbes.com,
17 Jan. 2026
-
In the footage, cars can be heard honking, sirens wail and protesters are blowing whistles.—
Jon Schuppe,
NBC news,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Later, the state spent $6 million to seal the brick building, after state workers complained of respiratory ailments and asthma.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Although older drivers are certainly more sensitive to nocturnal blasts of light, drivers in their 20s and 30s also complained about the overall brightness of some vehicles.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Keen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keen. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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