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
semafor.com, 8 July 2025
The South Carolina Republican Party has slammed Newsom's tour through the state as opportunistic, framing his record as governor as one that voters in South Carolina are keen to avoid.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 8 July 2025
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2023
For those keen on camping, this portable, self-inflating tent is designed to be water- and weather-resistant.
—Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 9 Jan. 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
Netanyahu-Trump meeting stokes ceasefire hopes Trump is keen to achieve a peace deal in Gaza, and Netanyahu is in a strong position domestically after attacks on Iran severely weakened Israel’s regional rival.
—semafor.com, 8 July 2025
The South Carolina Republican Party has slammed Newsom's tour through the state as opportunistic, framing his record as governor as one that voters in South Carolina are keen to avoid.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 8 July 2025
Noun
For those keen to explore the country deeper and differently, Vinho Verde awaits.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2023
For those keen on camping, this portable, self-inflating tent is designed to be water- and weather-resistant.
—Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 9 Jan. 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
-
The thundering crackles and sharp bangs of pyrotechnics can not only frighten dogs but also cause discomfort to their sensitive ears.—
Logan Holland,
People.com,
4 July 2025
-
This usually involves receiving a fake text, email or even a phone call designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link or sharing sensitive information.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Attendees in The Hague have framed the defense spending pledge and snappy communique as a response to the threat of Russia, not just the biting condemnation of the U.S. president.—
Ellie Cook — reporting from The Hague,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
As always, Danan’s voice is hysterically funny, her characters’ exhibiting a wry and biting sense of humor.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Add the rum, lime juice and ice, give it a quick shake, then strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.—
Claudia Alarcón,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
And 3) The other social media platforms have been quick to allow the swap.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
The hiding spot seemed like an excellent spot for avoiding the sun and potential predators, but Fowler didn't feel quite the same.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
Performance has also been excellent so far compared to peers and a benchmark index.—
Jesse Pound,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
According to recent research from the global consumer research platform, GWI, 60% of consumers are excited for the further development of AI tools.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
In the comment section, fans were excited to see an intimate piece of her life.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Early Friday morning, intense rain caused flash flooding across Texas Hill Country.—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
-
There were several safety cars during the race, along with changing conditions with periods of intense rain followed by a drying track.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
So, Nan is nowhere near over Guy, and making things more awkward, Theo can hear his wife’s wails on the other side of the door.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
25 June 2025
-
After about seven minutes — and two more rounds of Narcan — the wail of sirens are finally heard.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
But this scraping has sparked a huge backlash from publishers, artists and writers, who complain that it has been done without any consent or compensation.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
1 July 2025
-
Waiting for a frustrated customer to complain about blackout dates is defense.—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keen. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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