ACUTE Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

acute

adjective

ə-ˈkyüt

Definition of acute

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

as in urgent

needing immediate attention famine caused by an acute shortage of grain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 On the economic front, Ukraine’s most acute needs could be met if the EU agreed to frontload the disbursement of the tranches of its 90 billion euro loan that are scheduled for next year. — Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026 In rural areas where medical services are scarce, AI could help community health workers triage non-acute problems locally, potentially avoiding emergency room visits. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, the World Food Program warns that crop failures and smaller harvests could push 50 million people into acute hunger. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026 The three-eighths-cent sales tax was first proposed by Marshall Hospital, the only acute care hospital on El Dorado County’s West Slope, and later supported by the El Dorado County Fire Chiefs Association. — Haley Parsley october 12, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for acute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute

Adjective

Adolescence is an exquisitely sensitive time in the brain’s development.

— Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The chipmaker’s relationships with customers are similarly interlaced and sensitive.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

These appointments focus on urgent relief, but appointments and follow-ups that take a more preventative approach to identify underlying causes are available, too.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026
A week ago, a call between the US president and his Russian counterpart seemed to be about an urgent clarification over a possible outbreak of plague in Siberia.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of urgent

Adjective

Pike committed the crime over an intense romantic jealousy of Slemmer, who allegedly attempted to steal her boyfriend’s attention.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
Carnegie Hall seats well over 3,000 people, but this intense, no-frills performance film gives life to the old saying about feeling alone in a crowd.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of intense

Adjective

There's good reason families are increasingly keen to cut college costs.

— Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
The textual literalism that dominates the action is shown up by a few moments of keen-eyed observation—above all, in a calm but mighty reveal in Alberto’s episode.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of keen

Adjective

Atrium is also offering day hospital programs in which patients receive intensive treatment and return home at night.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Because schools would otherwise use that money to buy equipment, the proposal would most affect two-year technical schools with equipment-intensive programs like welding or automotive programs.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensive

Adjective

His successor, Bennett, had been among its fiercest critics, raising the prospect that the arrangement might finally end.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
The deadly fire erupted Saturday at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where fierce winds fueled flames that spread beyond the installation and into surrounding rural areas.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of fierce

Adjective

On its face, however, this inspirational message seems in sharp contrast to economic reality.

— Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Bajaria’s foresight was sharper, investing in local language productions and building up Netflix’s global presence (almost two dozen international offices were opened during Bajaria’s reign).

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sharp

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acumen

acute

acutely

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“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of acute

adjective

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