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.
Examples of acuity in a Sentence
Susan Page, USA Today, 31 July 2025
But former President Joe Biden's waning acuity and the disproportionate impact of inflation and the coronavirus pandemic closures on the county's crucial tourism industry were on voters' minds, too, Frostman said.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025
David Weigel: Right now, Oversight is dealing with the Republican investigation of Biden’s acuity and use of an autopen — Trump waiving executive privilege so that Biden officials can be interviewed by the committee.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
The disastrous debate performance pushed questions about his age and mental acuity to the forefront, ultimately leading Biden to withdraw from the presidential race.
—Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for acuity
Cite this Entry
“Acuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acuity. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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acuity
noun
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acuity
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