1
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences
pilots with especially keen eyesight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
the keen wind gave me chapped lips
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sharpened
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something
lanced the boil with a keen scalpel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in quick
having or showing quickness of mind
readers who were keen enough to realize that the writer was being satirical
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in excellent
of the very best kind
that new digital camera sure is keen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest
a keen hunger for fame and fortune in the fashion industry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
movies gave him keen enjoyment like nothing else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in wail
a crying out in grief
the loud keens of the widows were heard throughout the war-ravaged city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Judy Berman, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The lawsuit also intertwines recent university and state government decisions that, the complaint alleges, have created an environment keen to clamp down on freedom of speech and the press.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Oct. 2025
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
Sennott has a keen eye for the absurd workings of the influencer world, not to mention some great jokes about it.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The lawsuit also intertwines recent university and state government decisions that, the complaint alleges, have created an environment keen to clamp down on freedom of speech and the press.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Oct. 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
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
-
However, people who are lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy may experience discomfort.—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois,
Health,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The key to detecting them, then, wasn’t to simply build a detector sensitive enough to see each individual neutrino; that would be a practically impossible task.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But usually the administration official doesn’t fight back in such a biting way.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Over nearly three decades, Baumbach has built a career chronicling families in crisis and artists at the crossroads, his films combining biting wit with an unflinching emotional honesty.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Need a hearty soup that's quick, tasty, and healthy this season?—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
-
This can be a quick way to improve your fiber intake without planning every meal.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This is where the Greenpoint comes from, an excellent neo-classic riff on a Manhattan that was invented at Milk & Honey in New York, and comprises the classic build of Manhattan—rye, sweet vermouth, and bitters—into which has been spliced the inimitable French herbal liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The Jayhawks did an excellent job of getting back in transition, limiting Louisville’s fast-break opportunities.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Kaitlyn is excited to one day share the memories of this very celebration with her little girl.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Birchmore, prosecutors said, was excited about becoming a mother and hoped Farwell would be involved in the baby’s life.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The family dynamics of the show hadn’t been seen in any other franchise and made for some strong alliances against other members of the cast, as well as intense drama.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In an intense Instagram post Thursday, her 44th, the mother of three included various family album style photos over the last few years, plus some words of wisdom.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
So, on the night after the murder, the town’s streets were filled with anguished cries from the Inuit—wails of loss and pain.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The electric version starts the same, but that plaintive wail sounds more like a call to mischief.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In that appearance, Thilly moonwalked across the floor and performed a backspin before using his allotted five minutes to complain about rising taxes, according to CBS News New York.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Another woman, 59, complained of back pain, per the outlets.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keen. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share