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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Synonym Chooser

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
Pitt landed a best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of Hollywood stunt man Cliff Booth in the 2019 feature and was reportedly keen to keep the character’s story going. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026 Hero Devices is also keen to point out that this is a full, licensed copy of Windows 11, not an emulator or a streaming shell. — New Atlas, 4 Nov. 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
The aunties kneel and sway and hug on the living-room floor, keening dramatically one minute, chuckling over their cellphones the next. — Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025 Of course, Plant also used those keening high notes to express an appetite for destruction. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025 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
  • State officials had provided a version of the rolls that withheld such sensitive personal information, citing privacy concerns.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
  • An Israeli military official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media or to discuss sensitive operational matters, also confirmed the withdrawal.
    — Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Her version is louder and more biting, but never at the sacrifice of the track’s spirit.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In 2022, Lee County’s Mosquito Control District decided to try aiming radiation at mosquitoes instead, specifically the biting, disease-carrying kind — Aedes aegypti.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of biting
Adjective
  • Days after winning majorities in the House and Senate, Democrats are setting sharp priorities.
    — Pranshu Verma The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • San Diego is 13th in the Western Conference, a sharp decline from its conference-final appearance during its inaugural season.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of sharp
Adjective
  • With the lesson learned from last year, TCU made sure to get off to a much quicker start as the Horned Frogs’ new roster shined against the Lions.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Next year, if Democrats claim the majority in both chambers, the GOP can’t expect quick dismissals.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • Bold from brown butter and balsamic vinegar and bright from lemon, the crunchy topping is an excellent foil to the sweetness of roasted squash.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Their bench even has some guys providing excellent backup options.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • The gala’s also honoring Denis Villeneuve, which Celmins is excited about.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 6 Nov. 2026
  • That could be a great way to get kids excited about engineering.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • The normally quiet state race became the focus on intense scrutiny because of a pattern of incendiary remarks by French, the former Tarrant County GOP chair.
    — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Lara faced intense scrutiny and criticism during his eight years in office from Californians frustrated by rising prices, fewer options and how their claims were handled.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of intense
Noun
  • The separation scene is gut wrenching as Akiko fails to understand why she is being abandoned and gives one wail of a goodbye scene.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Had likely started calling hospitals, shouting his name and description over the baby’s guttering wails, into the ears of phone operators and receptionists all over town.
    — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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