1
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences
dogs, with their acute sense of smell, are used for finding toxic substances undetectable by humans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
famine caused by an acute shortage of grain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
experiencing acute distress over the misunderstanding with her best friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of acute
The impact in Florida will be particularly acute: Of all 350,000 TPS holders living in the state, the Congressional Research Service estimates that about 225,000 are Venezuelan.
—
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
That number is not terribly surprising, given that the La Mesa medical facility treated the 10th-most acute strokes in the state and handled the largest volume in San Diego County in 2023, according to state data.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2025
The headlines on Iranian state television that evening were dominated by the acute energy and economic crisis plaguing the country.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 17 May 2025
The sudden heat spike, which was made more likely by the decades-long failure to stop burning fossil fuels, creates an acute danger for a populace not yet acclimatized to summer heat.
—Saul Elbein, The Hill, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for acute
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
That number is not terribly surprising, given that the La Mesa medical facility treated the 10th-most acute strokes in the state and handled the largest volume in San Diego County in 2023, according to state data.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2025
The headlines on Iranian state television that evening were dominated by the acute energy and economic crisis plaguing the country.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 17 May 2025
The sudden heat spike, which was made more likely by the decades-long failure to stop burning fossil fuels, creates an acute danger for a populace not yet acclimatized to summer heat.
—Saul Elbein, The Hill, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
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These searches help keep digital communications and sensitive information safe.—
Jeremiah Bartz,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
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The lightweight formula is fragrance-free — ideal for sensitive skin — and doubles as a primer thanks to its matte finish.—
Madison Yauger,
People.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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This category is broad and urgent—people are dealing with stress, sleep disorders, focus issues, and more.—
Tanya Benedicto Klich,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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Here's why and what happened CT officials issue urgent plea for help stopping ‘a plague’ in state waterways.—
Staff Reports,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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The auto-revive for solo players on Night Lords is to combat the intense difficulties of those fights where a single wrong move can be death.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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And, believe it or not, Europe does have air conditioning, which can be quite an intense shift when moving between the outdoors into coach buses or stores.—
Gregory Robinson,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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President Donald Trump's administration is also keen to increase energy exports to India to address a U.S. trade deficit of well over $45 billion in 2024.—
Danish Manzoor Bhat,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
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Most executives interviewed by KFF Health News — in the hospital, insurance, tech, and consultancy fields — were keen to emphasize that AI would complement humans, not replace them.—
Kff Health News,
Oc Register,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The department conducts an annual review of each state, and a more intensive one that’s supposed to be completed roughly every five years.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2025
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With 4 million packages a day passing through American gateways using the de minimis exception, and around half of those shipments hailing from China, CBP is now contending with a much more intensive entry process for small shipments than it’s been accustomed to.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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The original rat killer Published April 25, 2007 With one quick flick of his wrist, Scott Mellanby felled a rodent and became part of South Florida sports lore.—
Jeff Kleinman,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
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No matter how small your business, here is a quick blueprint for strengthening your defense against common cyber threats: Start with the basics.—
Harry Kazakian,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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The feedback was fierce—storyboards dismantled, ideas shredded—but the environment was psychologically safe.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Caron was used to seeing my fiery side, the fierce competitor, the demanding coach.—
Jim Calhoun with Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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The Sunday terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, two weeks after two Israeli Embassy employees were killed in Washington, D.C., highlights a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents that have occurred in the United States since 2020.—
Audrey Conklin,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2025
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Palm Royale Fans who loved Devon’s sharp wit in Sirens will find a kindred spirit in Palm Royale’s Maxine (Kristen Wiig), a woman who schemes her way into the inner circle of Palm Beach’s most exclusive country club.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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