subacute

adjective

sub·​acute ˌsəb-ə-ˈkyüt How to pronounce subacute (audio)
1
: having a tapered but not sharply pointed form
subacute leaves
2
a
: falling between acute and chronic in character especially when closer to acute
subacute endocarditis
b
: less marked in severity or duration than a corresponding acute state
subacute pain
subacutely adverb

Examples of subacute in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The 70 interim housing beds are expected to open at the end of 2027, with the subacute beds to be finished in early 2028. — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026 Acute coughs typically last less than three weeks, while subacute coughs last up to eight. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 Jan. 2026 Sinusitis creeps into the subacute category when symptoms last a bit longer from four and 12 weeks. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025 The grants include $65 million for Los Angeles to refurbish the Metropolitan State Hospital campus in Norwalk into a psychiatric subacute facility for transitional-age youths, a big and glaring need for the region. — Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025 In those who develop symptoms, the infection is generally subacute. — Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 2 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subacute was in 1752

Phrases Containing subacute

Rhymes for subacute

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Browse Nearby Words

subacidity
subacute
subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
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Cite this Entry

“Subacute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subacute. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

subacute

adjective
sub·​acute ˌsəb-ə-ˈkyüt How to pronounce subacute (audio)
1
: falling between acute and chronic in character especially when closer to acute
subacute endocarditis
2
: less marked in severity or duration than a corresponding acute state
subacute pain
subacutely adverb
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