acuity
noun
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Do you have acuity or sensitivity?
Acuity is nearly synonymous with at least one sense of sensitivity, yet, as is so often the case with closely related words, there are subtle differences worth observing before you substitute one of these words for the other. Acuity does refer to a form of sensitivity, but it is most often applied to the perceptual senses (as in “visual acuity” or “auditory acuity”). It is also frequently used in reference to the intellect (as in “mental acuity”). Sensitivity has a broader range of meanings than acuity does, including “the capacity of being easily hurt.” It may be used of inanimate objects such as radios (“the sensitivity of the instruments was carefully calibrated”), a context in which acuity is unusual.
Synonyms
Examples of acuity in a Sentence
Tracy Briggs, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2024
The Trump interview noticeably covered more ground, whereas Baier honed in on several specific areas with Harris, like questions about the border and President Joe Biden’s mental acuity.
—Brian Stelter, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024
This summer, for instance, Trump took to social media to call for Wray to resign after the director appeared to vouch for Biden’s mental acuity.
—Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024
This past summer, Trump faulted the FBI for not immediately confirming he’d been struck by a bullet during an assassination attempt and even took to social media to call on Wray to resign after the director vouched for President Joe Biden ‘s mental acuity during a congressional hearing.
—Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for acuity 
Dictionary Entries Near acuity
Cite this Entry
“Acuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acuity. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
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acuity
noun
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acuity
noun
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