keen 1 of 4

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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

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keen

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noun (1)

keen

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verb

keenness

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noun (2)

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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

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
Adjective
After that, Rogen and Goldberg were just as keen to continue collaboration, rewriting the final two scripts to add her character in after working with her. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 21 May 2025 But Google isn't keen to lead on the hardware in this space—at the moment at least. Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 21 May 2025
Noun
For those keen to explore the country deeper and differently, Vinho Verde awaits. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2023 For those keen on camping, this portable, self-inflating tent is designed to be water- and weather-resistant. Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 9 Jan. 2023
Verb
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 The score’s main theme feels, above all, like a progression—a steady movement from melody to dissonance, from keening violins to ominous cellos, from pastoral splendor to something more sinister and unresolved. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 3 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for keen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keen
Adjective
  • Security clearance requirements limit the most sensitive jobs to U.S. citizens.
    Davis Winkie, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • Even benchmarks can be misleading, since outcomes are highly sensitive to the types of tasks included.
    Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Katy Perry is continuing to catch strays, this time from the most biting demographic of all: the pop girlie fandom.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 2 May 2025
  • During the taping of a recent Netflix special, Kyle Dunnigan impersonated Musk onstage in a biting parody—the audience laughed, but Rogan sat mostly silent, avoiding eye contact, appearing unwilling to signal disloyalty to the tech mogul.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Shooting victim Sarah Milgrim remembered as 'a light' who fought antisemitism Israeli Embassy shooting: See the scene Real quick All American Rejects singer explains what's up with viral pop-up shows.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • This streamlines workflows, automates tasks and leads to quicker decisions.
    Stephen Litjens, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • During informational interviews, asking for ideas of great places to keep an eye on is an excellent way to add to your list.
    Rebecca Fraser-Thill, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • Amazon The latest MacBook Air (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is an excellent, lightweight laptop.
    Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • But for his versatility, the variety in his attacking link-up and movement, and his ever-presence in a tough City season, there is reason to be excited for what lies ahead.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Artist Tina Birkhoff said this was her first year displaying her work at the event and was very excited to be at the show over the weekend.
    David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • But Trump couldn't get the change included in his 2017 economic legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, amid an intense lobbying campaign from the industry and some GOP lawmakers to protect the break.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • Biden's physical and mental fitness has been the subject of intense scrutiny during and since his time in office, with questions about the former president's age and well-being ultimately forcing him to abandon his 2024 reelection bid.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Cannon complained to Delta and to the Department of Transportation, which regulates airlines.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Company officials also complained that the administration of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot slowed down financing approval, a charge Lightfoot vehemently denies.
    Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Grok 3: The wind howled through the jagged spires of the Frostfang Reaches, carrying a chill that bit deeper than any blade, and Ser Willem Cray felt its teeth in his bones.
    Kelsey Piper, Vox, 12 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, the unmistakable sounds of a dog howling and barking echo loudly off-screen.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Keen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keen. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

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