1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
the keenness of the knife should tell you that it was sharpened recently a writer famous for the keenness of her wit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enthusiasm
urgent desire or interest
was looking forward to his birthday party with the keenness of a youngster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intelligence
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters
had the financial keenness to know that the stock was overvalued
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sensitiveness
the state or quality of being able to sense slight impressions or differences
there's an enhanced keenness of hearing that young mothers seem to develop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of keenness
The keenness of my letdown was dismaying.
—
Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The talks signal keenness by both countries to maintain regular communication, The Wall Street Journal said.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Farke himself commented on Gray’s keenness to be at the front of May’s title celebrations, despite having contributed only five minutes on the pitch for the senior side.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025
Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
The talks signal keenness by both countries to maintain regular communication, The Wall Street Journal said.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Farke himself commented on Gray’s keenness to be at the front of May’s title celebrations, despite having contributed only five minutes on the pitch for the senior side.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keenness
Noun
-
The subtle bitterness is complemented with creamy cheese and a mouth-puckering lemon dressing.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
6 Mar. 2026
-
There is no apparent bitterness on Ward’s part over being parked in Triple-A for so long, watching so many of his teammates get promoted.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her performance generated enough enthusiasm that the production extended her involvement twice — first from a March 15 end date to April 5, then again through May 3, coinciding with Ballas joining the cast.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
-
That could mean even more enthusiasm for nuclear weapons and regional proxy forces.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Shipping intelligence data provider Kpler estimates around 12 million barrels of crude oil to have passed through the strait since the war started.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
During the 1980s Iran-Iraq War, the United States actively supported Saddam Hussein — providing intelligence and diplomatic cover even as Iraq deployed chemical weapons against Iranian soldiers and civilians.—
Letters to the Editor,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The four-piece set—a loveseat, two chairs, and a matching table—comfortably seats up to four, providing a perfect spot for small bites and drinks.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Wisconsin Watch is a member of the Gigafact program, newsrooms across the US that deliver bite-sized fact checks of trending claims.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Hence, any hit to electrical infrastructure creates an immediate ripple effect of thirst.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Between her thirst-trap selfies and fabulous rendezvous, the 84-year-old never fails to deliver in the content department.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Grace balances a razor sharp wit with striking sincerity and absolute cool.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The poor thing must’ve been scared out of its wits.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Adding to the turbulence is Korea's sensitivity to energy prices.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Shaynak was impressed with the sensitivity of Sachs’s final script.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Hanson crossed Redwood Creek on a fallen log at the northern edge of the high severity burn, an elastic term that generally means an area where most of the trees are dead.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Most viewers will know that the two main protagonists ultimately become foes, which lends their on-screen relationship an edge amid the banter and bonhomie.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Keenness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keenness. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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