Synonyms of keen
1
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences
pilots with especially keen eyesight
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2
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
the keen wind gave me chapped lips
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3
as in sharpened
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something
lanced the boil with a keen scalpel
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4
as in quick
having or showing quickness of mind
readers who were keen enough to realize that the writer was being satirical
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5
as in excellent
of the very best kind
that new digital camera sure is keen
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6
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest
a keen hunger for fame and fortune in the fashion industry
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7
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
movies gave him keen enjoyment like nothing else
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as in wail
a crying out in grief
the loud keens of the widows were heard throughout the war-ravaged city
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1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
victims of the disaster have been keening for weeks about the slowness of governmental aid
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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
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2
as in enthusiasm
urgent desire or interest
was looking forward to his birthday party with the keenness of a youngster
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of keen
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2025
Turley also had a keen involvement with the Uptown community center of the Hull House association, which opened in a former supermarket at 1257 W. Wilson Ave.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
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
Adjective
The bride, keen to wear emerging designers with a strong point of view, stumbled across the closing look from Conner Ives’s fall 2025 show, which the designer had just presented in London.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2025
Turley also had a keen involvement with the Uptown community center of the Hull House association, which opened in a former supermarket at 1257 W. Wilson Ave.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
The song finds Abstract continuing to explore the contours of indie and alternative rock, with a simmering lo-fi guitar riff that gives way to the uneasy keen of a synth.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 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
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Federated Learning: This privacy-preserving technique allows AI models to learn from decentralized data across games and platforms without compromising user privacy, enhancing moderation without centralizing sensitive data.—
Anees Ali Khan,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Not all acres are equal, of course, but there are myriad existing laws to protect areas that are sensitive for ecological, cultural, or other good reasons.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The socially biting comedy comes out at a time of political unrest in Argentina under Javier Milei’s presidency, a government marked by several funding cuts to culture.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
6 Aug. 2025
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No one mentioned the annoying swarms of tiny biting midges that plague Scotland’s west coast in the summer.—
Angus MacKinnon,
CNN Money,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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However, one quick two-handed push off by No. 5 sent Morris earthbound as the coach quickly became London’s next victim.—
Hailey Hurst,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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These routines are highly edited, almost hypnotic, with quick cuts, each mini-scene overlaid with a time stamp.—
Julie Beck,
The Atlantic,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Last Crumb's cookies are excellent edible gifts, with a luxurious flavor and mouthfeel and the price tag to match.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
16 Aug. 2025
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Gang Green began the night with excellent field position, but it was wasted away after gaining just one first down.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While brands are mostly irrelevant at Low Timers, there are a few heritage names in workwear that get collectors excited.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
6 Aug. 2025
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During the quarter-mile hike, one of the young participants was excited to find a salamander underneath a log.—
Deena Butterfield,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The community’s response is intense: panicked and bereaved mothers and fathers turn on Justine, indirectly a victim herself; misguided outrage blinds them to the real menace operating unimpeded in their midst.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
9 Aug. 2025
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For Democrats, the internal pressure is even more intense.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Some residents and candidates have complained that Area Towing often overcharged customers, unaware of the costs when getting their vehicles towed.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Republicans complain about the district’s heavy Democratic lean.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Lakshmi also included a video of her and her dog, Divina, playfully howling for the camera.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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Axel Hunnicutt stood by the side of a dusty dirt road in California’s high country rangeland and howled like a wolf.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keen. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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