1
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences
dogs, with their acute sense of smell, are used for finding toxic substances undetectable by humans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
famine caused by an acute shortage of grain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
experiencing acute distress over the misunderstanding with her best friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of acute
Concentrations as far as 21 miles away in Midtown Atlanta exceeded federal acute exposure guideline levels by a threshold of four.
—
Aj Willingham,
AJC.com,
29 June 2026
Therapeutic housing unit allows closure of facility The now-shuttered North Infirmary Command most recently housed 223 people with acute medical needs who required hospital-level care.
—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
The treatment gap is especially acute in carceral settings.
—
Hannah Harris Green,
STAT,
26 June 2026
But in Faiz’s poem, the union with the beloved also contains an acute awareness of mortality and the transience of beauty – a recognition of what has been lost, and the suffering still to come.
—
Krupa Shandilya,
The Conversation,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for acute
Aj Willingham,
AJC.com,
29 June 2026
Therapeutic housing unit allows closure of facility The now-shuttered North Infirmary Command most recently housed 223 people with acute medical needs who required hospital-level care.
—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
The treatment gap is especially acute in carceral settings.
—
Hannah Harris Green,
STAT,
26 June 2026
But in Faiz’s poem, the union with the beloved also contains an acute awareness of mortality and the transience of beauty – a recognition of what has been lost, and the suffering still to come.
—
Krupa Shandilya,
The Conversation,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
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Rescuers then wait intently for any indication of life, using sensitive microphones or telescopic cameras or simply pressing an ear against the rubble, hoping to detect a voice, a knock or the faintest movement.
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So far, the administration has sued multiple states unsuccessfully in attempts to obtain sensitive voter-roll data to run through a federal database known as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, program.
Adjective
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In his inital letter, Lehmkuhl agreed that there is an urgent need to clear debris and address the persistent odor of millions of pounds of rotting food at the site.
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The industry conversation around funding reform is urgent precisely because this generation deserves a system that matches their ambition and offers them a future.
Adjective
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Indie Shakes managing director David Melville distills his production around scenes of intense conflict.
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As the planet warms, extreme heat events are becoming more common, intense and long-lasting.
Adjective
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He is usually reserved but has a pleasant personality and a keen sense of humor.
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The Athletic reported in April that Everton are keen for Grealish to return to the club this summer, having returned to Manchester City.
Adjective
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The jockeys take on months of intensive training in order to ride in the Ladies’ Race.
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On the flip side, semiconductor manufacturing is one of the most complex and energy-intensive industrial processes in the world, with emissions projected to reach 277 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent by 2030.
Adjective
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Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley There may still be questions about whether the romance between Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley was genuine, and their secret, quick-turn overseas wedding didn't help matters.
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But upon closer inspection Mbiya appears significantly leaner and quicker.
Adjective
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The 2023 arrest of her then-10-year-old cousin for urinating in public brought fierce condemnation.
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For a party that prides itself on diversity, the clashes have exacerbated fierce debates over identity politics and long-standing rifts between progressives and moderates.
Adjective
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Tourism in Albania has seen a sharp increase in recent years, with people relishing the nation’s vast, undeveloped coastline.
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Netanyahu, 76, has spent decades mastering political theater, sharp messaging and grand performances.
Cite this Entry
“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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