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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective acute contrast with its synonyms?

The words keen and sharp are common synonyms of acute. While all three words mean "having or showing alert competence and clear understanding," acute implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination.

an acute sense of style

In what contexts can keen take the place of acute?

The synonyms keen and acute are sometimes interchangeable, but keen suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind.

a keen observer of the political scene

When could sharp be used to replace acute?

While in some cases nearly identical to acute, sharp implies quick perception, clever resourcefulness, or sometimes questionable trickiness.

sharp enough to spot a confidence game

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 acute These agencies regularly publish reports, research, and guidance that shape public response to both chronic and acute health threats, ranging from tobacco to infectious and food-borne disease. Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025 More than half of Sudan's population faces high levels of acute food insecurity The conflict in Sudan is a children’s crisis: 13.6 million children urgently need humanitarian assistance; 10.8 million people, half of whom are children, have fled their homes in search of safety. Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has confirmed famine in Sudan's North Darfur region, with more than 24.6 million people—over half the country's population—facing acute food insecurity. Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 There is the acute loss told by each individual narrative. Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for acute 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
  • The members of the panel, known as CFIUS, had similar concerns about Grindr to the ones lawmakers have about TikTok — that the app could be used to give the Chinese government access to sensitive data about Americans, including their locations and dating preferences.
    Meaghan Tobin, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Authoritarian regimes should not have unfettered access to millions of Americans’ sensitive data.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • For example, any urgent messages regarding H5N1 bird flu, which is spreading to people in the U.S., would be delayed.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025
  • More than 90% of Gazans are homeless, according to the U.N., and there is an urgent need for tents and other shelters.
    Ghada Abdulfattah, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Chiefs tallied another three points from Butker as both defenses were noticeably intense and solid as the first quarter ended 6-3 Kansas City.
    Kevin Dotson, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The single performs even better on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart, which is compiled in the same way as the Rock Digital Song Sales list, only the focus is exclusively on the more intense, harder style of the genre.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Industry players like the H&M Foundation have shown a keen interest in partnering with such companies.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Motivated by a deep empathy for the homeless crisis gripping his nation and keen to highlight the problem, the electrician set off on a solo 4000km run across the vast continent, starting at Perth’s Cottesloe Beach and ending at Sydney’s Bondi Beach after 47 days.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The initial iteration of the program, launched with partners Nike and Right to Dream, gave six Ghanaian women the chance to participate in a three-month intensive coaches training experience.
    Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
  • In 2002, the Israeli military occupied the camp after 10 days of intensive fighting, according to the UN, during which time more than 400 houses were destroyed and over a quarter of the camp’s population was displaced.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Smoothies are a staple for quick, on-the-go meals or snacks, offering convenience and versatility to fit any lifestyle.
    Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 22 Jan. 2025
  • These lamps are sleek, take up very little space, and are quick and painless to set up.
    StackCommerce Team (Sponsored), PCMAG, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Just one decade later, he's become one of Meta's fiercest competitors BYMarco Quiroz-Gutierrez January 15, 2025 7 hours ago Personal Finance A woman purchased a vacant Hawaiian lot for about $22,000.
    Chloe Berger, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Rubio was a fierce Trump critic during the contest for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.
    Laura Kelly, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Sánchez wasn’t as sharp in July and August, then finished strong in September and authored a suitable start in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Mets.
    Matt Gelb, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
  • His sharp business acumen, wisdom and strategic vision are a unique gift for me to be inspired and importantly to continue to learn and grow.
    Miles Socha, WWD, 22 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near acute

Cite this Entry

“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on acute

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