Thesaurus results for KEEN

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

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keen 1 of 3

adjective

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as in quick

able to sense slight impressions or differences pilots with especially keen eyesight

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as in sharp

causing intense discomfort to one's skin the keen wind gave me chapped lips

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as in sharpened

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

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as in clever

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

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as in excellent

of the very best kind that new digital camera sure is keen

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as in excited

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

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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

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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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