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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of keen
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
What’s important for our students, as well as our institutions, is to have a keen awareness of what the market needs, right?
—Kansas City Star, 31 July 2025
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2023
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
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
Musician Rhiannon Giddens mixes a keen sense of history with a thoroughly modern musical sensibility.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
What’s important for our students, as well as our institutions, is to have a keen awareness of what the market needs, right?
—Kansas City Star, 31 July 2025
Noun
For those keen to explore the country deeper and differently, Vinho Verde awaits.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2023
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
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
-
Businesses cannot process sensitive data without obtaining consumer consent.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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The website Health in Her Hue, for example, connects Black women and women of color to culturally sensitive healthcare providers.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
Its comedy is observational rather than overtly satirical, far less biting than other Judge creations like Idiocracy and Silicon Valley.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
25 July 2025
-
Letterman was a frequent critic of CBS, in a comedic but biting way.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Even just a quick five-minute vacuuming of high-traffic areas offers an instant refresh.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
2 Aug. 2025
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Thank you for your bravery and quick actions in protecting the public!—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Aloe vera is low-maintenance, making the houseplant an excellent option for beginner houseplant owners, who don’t have much time for excessive plant care.—
Michelle Mastro,
Architectural Digest,
23 July 2025
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One of the best examples is her novel Made for Love, perhaps better known as an HBO show starring the excellent Cristin Milioti.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Our family couldn’t be more excited to welcome baby #3 soon!—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
26 July 2025
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Signs that may indicate you are include: keeping eye contact with a soft, loving gaze; physical contact, including licking, leaning, and sleeping in tour bed; bringing you gifts; and just being generally excited to see you.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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An intense pain that isn't going away There the lone doctor examined him and gave him an EKG to look at how his heart was functioning.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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SFGate notes that many dogs fear the oven due to its unusual sounds, intense heat, and especially alarms or beeping.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
Noun
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Thousands of cell phone lights and ear-piercing wails accompanied it.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
-
So, Nan is nowhere near over Guy, and making things more awkward, Theo can hear his wife’s wails on the other side of the door.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
25 June 2025
Verb
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A number of Tesla shareholders, including some Democrats who oversee the investment of public sector pension fund money in Tesla stock, complained in May to Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm that Musk’s other activities are hurting the company.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
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Essentially, the legislation does away with a process that some have complained can be time-consuming and expensive—at least in some cases.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Keen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keen. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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