Synonyms of keenness

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keenness

noun

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softness
• gentleness
• mildness
• kindliness

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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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
• acuteness
• acuity
• accuracy
• sharpness
• exactness
• delicacy
• hypersensitivity
• exactitude
• supersensitivity
• hypersensitiveness
• fineness
• oversensitivity
• hyperacuity
• oversensitiveness