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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 According to the National Assn. of Home Builders, scarcity and an acute, sustained rise in building material costs — for items as diverse as softwood lumber and electricity distribution transformers — are driving up the cost to construct homes and harming housing affordability. Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025 When she was first booked, that October, jail-intake officials recognized her acute mental-health needs right away. Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 The first ablation did not cause any acute complications. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025 Most studies list nausea and vomiting as symptoms, while others cite acute abdominal pain as well. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
  • Historically, he's been sensitive to them, but his focus seems more on pushing his agenda than chasing approval numbers.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
  • For those with sensitive skin, this formula is fragrance-, paraben-, and dye-free.
    Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This highlights the urgent need for tailored marketing support.
    Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The net result is a flurry of headlines and viral social media posts followed by an urgent platform update.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Whether singing a cappella or accompanied by her guitar to hundreds or thousands of people − at a small venue or an awards show − Lafourcade's performances feel visceral, intense and intimate all at once.
    Pamela Avila, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • In place of intense (and potentially irritating) acids, Mediheal's Madecassoside Blemish Pads target breakouts and breakout-causing bacteria with anti-inflammatory powerhouses madecassoside and cica.
    Sarah Han, Allure, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • From an investment standpoint, the Mavericks head coach has been keen on football for some time.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Banerji talked up the success of The Shadow Strays and Hunger, the latter of which hit No. 1 worldwide, but also was keen to stress the company’s firsts for the region, notably producing Outside, the first Filipino zombie movie that was released in 2024.
    Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Since early March, Israel has cut Gaza off from the supply of humanitarian aid including food, with aid agencies warning that the situation for the strip’s 2 million civilians has deteriorated dangerously, only worsened by intensive Israeli military operations.
    Irene Nasser, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Now, more than six months after first complaining of stomach pain, Butlin started her first three-month course of intensive chemotherapy on April 8.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ivanka posted a video and pictures to her social media platforms on Monday following the celebration, during which Theo and Barkley had a quick game of catch while running around the area.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, Gagliardi recommends running a quick wash cycle and adding a product like Clorox® Laundry Sanitizer, which can squash the odor-causing bacteria lurking in your damp laundry.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Melania Trump has courted controversy, garnered attention for her fashion Trump's fashion choices are the subject of fierce controversy and constant attention.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Seven new projects debut on the 15-spot roster, making competition surprisingly fierce.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The aviation industry expects the exemption to help companies keep costs down during a sharp pullback in travel spending by consumers worried about slower economic growth and higher inflation.
    Rajesh Kumar Singh, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • In Chico, 90 miles north of Sacramento, the emergency room at the only hospital in town has seen a sharp increase in patients over the past decade, due in part to a lack of primary care providers in the area.
    Bernard J. Wolfson and Vanessa G. Sánchez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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