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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of keen
Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
This is one of the reasons why Tesla was so keen to get self-driving hardware into as many of its cars as possible, as early as possible, to give the company a head start on data collection that could position it as the leader in autonomous vehicles.
—New Atlas, 7 Jan. 2025
Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 9 Jan. 2023
All three species are, in fact, powerful stimulants, and, as such, have long attracted those keen to enjoy their attributes.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2022
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2023
Ayler burst onto the New York scene, in 1963, with a roaring and screeching and keening fervor that left behind conventional forms of rhythm and harmony but added the folk elements of spirituals, marches, and blues—and a realm of spirits and ghosts that inhabit those forms.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for keen 
Adjective
That's why both Reeves and Superman director/DC co-CEO James Gunn will be keen to do the two iconic characters justice.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
This is one of the reasons why Tesla was so keen to get self-driving hardware into as many of its cars as possible, as early as possible, to give the company a head start on data collection that could position it as the leader in autonomous vehicles.
—New Atlas, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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
All three species are, in fact, powerful stimulants, and, as such, have long attracted those keen to enjoy their attributes.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2022
Verb
In these wondrously transporting images of juddering waves and swirling particles, accompanied by the rumbling, surging, keening strains of Ludwig Göransson’s magnificent score, Nolan makes a rare leap into realms of pure cinematic abstraction.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2023
Ayler burst onto the New York scene, in 1963, with a roaring and screeching and keening fervor that left behind conventional forms of rhythm and harmony but added the folk elements of spirituals, marches, and blues—and a realm of spirits and ghosts that inhabit those forms.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for keen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keen
Adjective
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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
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Authoritarian regimes should not have unfettered access to millions of Americans’ sensitive data.Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Created by Tony McNamara, who earned Oscar nominations for his writing work on both The Favourite and Poor Things, The Great offers the same combination of lush costumes and scenery mixed with a biting commentary on the world, and a woman’s place in it.Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024
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Her awful journey is a raging scream against the patriarchy and a biting critique of how women are viewed, especially by other women.The Week US, theweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Sign up for Dinner Tonight One quick and easy recipe in your inbox each night to answer that eternal question: What’s for dinner?Sam Sifton, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
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Angelenos are resilient, resourceful and quick to unify in times of disaster.Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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With excellent lift access, 12 lifts provide visitors with access to 244 skiable acres.Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2025
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Now is an excellent moment to be brave and explore new projects, people and plans.Kyle Thomas, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Although the rivalry between Daredevil and Kingpin is likely what Daredevil fans are most excited to see in Born Again, the trailer makes clear that other old friends will be along for the ride as well.Christian Holub, EW.com, 15 Jan. 2025
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Looking to the future, there are plenty of upcoming Star Wars games to be excited about as well as the return of Andor in 2025 and The Mandalorian & Grogu hitting cinemas in 2026.Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Noun
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This fly-on-the-wall music documentary covers it all, from Cyndi Lauper's wail to Bruce Springsteen's growl to the fact that poor Huey Lewis had to follow Michael Jackson.Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
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Simpson's gruff, outlaw country timbre ranged from wails to whispers, adapting to echo the style of the band and the current tune.Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 26 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Many residents at the town hall complained about feeling unsafe at their local Giant or Weis supermarkets, seeing panhandlers, loitering and graffiti in and around these areas.Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2025
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Some of the agency’s top Middle East diplomats complained in private that they were sidelined by Biden’s National Security Council.Brett Murphy, ProPublica, 15 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Keen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keen. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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