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
Tony Jones, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
For Proust—who may have met Wilde and even been the subject of the older man’s amorous attention (though accounts of their meeting or meetings could be apocryphal)—his downfall showed that life featured far keener sorrows than those encountered in books.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for keen
Adjective
In reality, Leonard is said to be very happy playing in Los Angeles and not keen on making a move.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
For Proust—who may have met Wilde and even been the subject of the older man’s amorous attention (though accounts of their meeting or meetings could be apocryphal)—his downfall showed that life featured far keener sorrows than those encountered in books.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Noun
The song finds Abstract continuing to explore the contours of indie and alternative rock, with a simmering lo-fi guitar riff that gives way to the uneasy keen of a synth.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
Verb
The sport's powerhouse India did not want to host another event, with Zimbabwe - emerging as a destination for major tournaments - and Sri Lanka keen but bypassed for the UAE, a reliable alternative that doubles as headquarters for the sport's governing body.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for keen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keen
Adjective
-
Thus, the article stressed that the Chinese navy must urgently address these risks, offering an unusually detailed proposal for a systematic crash-response plan, drawing lessons from US Navy salvage practices to improve readiness and protect sensitive technology.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The Skechers Aero Razor harnesses the explosive benefits of superfoam while maintaining a sensitive, stable ride.—
Cory Smith,
Outside,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Chill Factor Perhaps the most biting statistic of the season so far is the temperature.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Morbidly Jewish finds Raanan at his most biting, acerbic, angry, Jewish, and, as always…loud.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Use citrus peels or baking soda with vinegar for a quick and natural way to clean and deodorize the garbage disposal effectively.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Trump’s response to this has been to float policies that promise a quick hit of relief.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Six solid to excellent major leaguers, two average ones and 11 busts.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Use Dryer Balls to Keep Sheets Separated Dryer balls are an excellent tool for combating tangled sheets.—
Anyssa Roberts,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
So, there are all sorts of fun details and influences here and everybody at Eintracht Frankfurt sounds incredibly excited about where the appointment may lead.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — during the halftime show, to a family excited to witness their son play in one of the biggest games of his career, here's a quick breakdown of those moments.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Many Olympians—Nordic skiers, for instance—pay a lot of attention to a measure called their VO2 max—the highest volume of oxygen your body can consume and use during a minute of intense exercise.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
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Valentine’s Day in a first teen relationship should feel simple, sweet, and age-appropriate, not intense or pressured.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In some, relatives are seen walking among the black bags, trying to identify the deceased, as wails and screams fill the background.—
Molly Hunter,
NBC news,
30 Jan. 2026
-
At times, the noise of grinding gears can obscure the soprano whoops and wails of the preschoolers.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Much of this isn't included in Fennell's version, and early on, many complained the movie seemed to romanticize the abuse in the book.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Dieppa said a nearby daycare complained of cat waste.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Keen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keen. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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