Synonyms of keenness

keenness

noun

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

• bitterness
• bite
• edge
• acerbity
• acuteness
• poignancy
• sharpness
• severity
• acidity
• roughness
• poignance
• harshness
• pungency
• spice
• acridity
• asperity
• acrimony
• tartness
• severeness
• acridness
• acidness
• punch
• tang
• acrimoniousness
• shrillness
• virulence
• ginger
• pointedness
• vitriol
• maliciousness
• raucousness
• thorniness
• cattiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softness
• gentleness
• mildness
• kindliness

2

as in enthusiasm

urgent desire or interest

was looking forward to his birthday party with the keenness of a youngster

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enthusiasm
• thirst
• appetite
• eagerness
• excitement
• hunger
• desirousness
• impatience
• ardor
• avidity
• lust
• passion
• ambition
• zeal
• avidness
• readiness
• quickness
• alacrity
• willingness
• zest
• warmth
• gusto
• fervency
• appetence
• appetency
• amenability

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifference
• apathy
• nonchalance
• unconcern
• insouciance
• casualness
• detachment
• aloofness
• impassivity
• languor
• lukewarmness
• languidness
• halfheartedness

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

• intelligence
• wit
• insight
• acumen
• shrewdness
• astuteness
• intellect
• wisdom
• clear-sightedness
• canniness
• knowingness
• hardheadedness
• sense
• sharpness
• caginess
• sagacity
• perception
• perceptiveness
• perceptivity
• foxiness
• discernment
• reason
• percipience
• cunning
• sagaciousness
• subtlety
• wiliness
• artfulness
• sapience
• slyness
• deviousness
• guile
• subtleness
• slickness
• sneakiness
• craftiness
• gray matter
• sageness
• brain(s)
• craft
• artifice

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ingenuousness
• naïveté
• simplicity
• greenness
• guilelessness
• artlessness
• unworldliness
• innocence
• simplemindedness
• naiveness
• unsophistication
• simpleness
• slowness
• obtuseness
• density
• stupidity
• foolishness
• dumbness
• fatuity
• witlessness
• mindlessness
• senselessness
• vacuity
• stupidness
• oafishness
• brainlessness
• doltishness
• dopiness
• half-wittedness

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

• sensitiveness
• sensitivity
• perceptiveness
• perceptivity
• acuity
• acuteness
• accuracy
• sharpness
• delicacy
• hypersensitivity
• exactness
• supersensitivity
• hypersensitiveness
• exactitude
• fineness
• oversensitivity
• hyperacuity
• oversensitiveness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of keenness

His keenness and ability to be progressive in his passing means Bamba has the potential to be more than merely a midfield ‘destroyer’. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026

And generally with these designers the matter of taste comes into play—be that Wun’s keenness for kitsch or Malhotra and Mishra’s indulgence. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 8 July 2026

Housing and homelessness is another key issue in Los Angeles, with voters expressing a keenness for it to be tackled. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 9 June 2026

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