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
-
Just make sure to choose limes with slightly thinner skin for less bitterness.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Weeks after American Idol audiences booed her for giving honest feedback, Carrie Underwood responded not with bitterness but with blue boxes.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, enthusiasm around artificial intelligence continues to provide a powerful tailwind for equities, particularly in technology-heavy markets.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Everyone has different levels of enthusiasm and different conversational needs.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That’s true, said one former counterterrorism official with direct knowledge of the intelligence involved, but there was more to the story.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The collaboration connects the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company’s supply chain intelligence platform—which enables brands to map suppliers, manage sourcing data and validate claims—with Trimco’s labeling, packaging and RFID infrastructure.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Its brunch menu features a variety of fun bites, sides and mains, such as Avocado Toast Flights; Wake and Gravy Poutine; and the Trenton Porkroll Benny made with two poached eggs, cracked pepper and melted cheddar over potato pancakes.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Most pests make little nibbles on plants, but groundhogs take big bites out of tomatoes, cabbage heads, and other crops.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Will Frances throw over Jol for Bill from True Blood, or is her thirst for vengeance not yet slaked?—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
-
But for average people, the thirst signal is a good indicator.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Of course, cynics would say this is an easy way to get laughs, but Galifianakis’ quick wit ensures the unfiltered youngsters don’t always take center stage.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Your laugh, your kindness, your wit, your strength, your loyalty, your passion, and your zest for life.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The screen protector maintains vibrant, accurate screen colors and touch sensitivity.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The rest is mostly a question of timing and sensitivity.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Style it by the edge of your sofa to add bonus space for your morning coffee or evening snacks, or use it by a window in your entryway, bedroom, or kitchen as a pedestal table to show off your favorite houseplants.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Musk in March outlined plans for the massive operation to build cutting-edge semiconductors for artificial intelligence, robotics and space forays.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Keenness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keenness. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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