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
Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
The minister’s renown was not insignificant, with both proponents and those less keen about his ideas of achieving moral purity through food.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Aug. 2025
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
Emily Lordi Philip Cheung, New York Times, 10 May 2024
The score’s main theme feels, above all, like a progression—a steady movement from melody to dissonance, from keening violins to ominous cellos, from pastoral splendor to something more sinister and unresolved.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 3 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for keen
Adjective
President Donald Trump's Washington, DC, makeover is extending to the White House's Lincoln Bedroom and the Kennedy Center, the high-profile arts venue that has become a keen interest for the commander-in-chief.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
The minister’s renown was not insignificant, with both proponents and those less keen about his ideas of achieving moral purity through food.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Aug. 2025
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
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
The score’s main theme feels, above all, like a progression—a steady movement from melody to dissonance, from keening violins to ominous cellos, from pastoral splendor to something more sinister and unresolved.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 3 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for keen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keen
Adjective
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There’s another potential dynamic at play, too: Will humans be more willing to divulge more sensitive details to a machine than another human?—
Gina Chua,
semafor.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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The economically sensitive Dow Jones Industrial Average is outperforming the S & P 500 and touching fresh all-time highs following Powell's speech.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The socially biting comedy comes out at a time of political unrest in Argentina under Javier Milei’s presidency, a government marked by several funding cuts to culture.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
6 Aug. 2025
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No one mentioned the annoying swarms of tiny biting midges that plague Scotland’s west coast in the summer.—
Angus MacKinnon,
CNN Money,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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However, one quick two-handed push off by No. 5 sent Morris earthbound as the coach quickly became London’s next victim.—
Hailey Hurst,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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These routines are highly edited, almost hypnotic, with quick cuts, each mini-scene overlaid with a time stamp.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There’s trendy hot pot and face-numbing Sichuan spots, as well as relative newcomers like the excellent Thai spot Zaab Zaab.—
Cathy Erway,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Aug. 2025
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Just north of Venice, the Veneto region is also known for excellent wines.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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A lot of fans and people in tennis are excited about (João) Fonseca.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
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Takeaway: What would a party look like in your context — one that potential customers would be excited about?—
Jed Brewer,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The dog days of summer brought intense heat to the Volunteer State, including a nearly month-long streak of 90-degree days in July, the fifth longest in Nashville’s history, said the weather service.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
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According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the symptoms of a snake bite differ depending on the species, but common signs near the wound include puncture marks, bleeding, redness, swelling, bruising, blistering and intense pain.—
Tina Chen,
Mercury News,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Two sets of arms wrapped around me, more of his friends, holding me until my wails subsided.—
Kimberly Bridson,
Vogue,
14 Aug. 2025
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In recent years, the frontman has struggled to reach the soaring, piercing wail that was among his chief contributions at the band’s peak and on its breakthrough album, Nothing’s Shocking.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
16 July 2025
Verb
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Consumers have complained that stores feel less distinctive, private labels have multiplied to the point of confusion, and online shopping options lag those of competitors.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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Trump has long complained about absentee voting, since before the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down many in-person events.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keen. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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