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
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
Unfortunately, for many people, acute LBP doesn’t resolve and becomes a chronic issue.
—
New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2025
By 1890, however, with medical literature reporting more than 400 cases of acute toxicity brought on by the drug, cocaine had lost its luster.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
The next morning, March 28, the animals awoke to a new political reality: The world’s most powerful man had taken an acute interest in their place of lodging, the National Zoo.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 6 Apr. 2025
Some people have recurring sinusitis, four or more episodes of acute sinusitis in the same year.4
Share Some Treatments
While some treatments are specific to each condition, the two share some options.
—Sarah Hudgens, Health, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acute
New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2025
By 1890, however, with medical literature reporting more than 400 cases of acute toxicity brought on by the drug, cocaine had lost its luster.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
The next morning, March 28, the animals awoke to a new political reality: The world’s most powerful man had taken an acute interest in their place of lodging, the National Zoo.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 6 Apr. 2025
Some people have recurring sinusitis, four or more episodes of acute sinusitis in the same year.4
Share Some Treatments
While some treatments are specific to each condition, the two share some options.
—Sarah Hudgens, Health, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
-
The rise in interest rates and inflation could dampen the growth prospects of shale oil producers, particularly smaller companies that are highly sensitive to borrowing costs.—
Steven Dudash,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The skin is very sensitive to the hormonal changes taking place during puberty.—
Cordelia Nwankwo,
Verywell Health,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
With congestion on the rise, the decline in per capita transit use suggests that fewer people currently rely on transit than pre-pandemic, which underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to attract riders.—
Ankit Mishra,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
-
In the nineteen-sixties and seventies, the Vietnam War was a matter of urgent concern in politics and scholarship alike.—
Nikil Saval,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The sun has once again unleashed a powerful solar flare, continuing its streak of intense activity.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Regional sports networks in general have come under intense pressure as cord-cutting keeps eroding pay-TV subscriptions.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
At the time, Jase said his father was keen to return to work.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
She’s been especially keen on animal print, from her leopard tote bag to her zebra Fendi backpack.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This alarming probability briefly landed the asteroid atop impact risk lists maintained by NASA and the European Space Agency, triggering planetary defense discussions and prompting intensive follow-up observations to refine the object's trajectory.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
If the proposal gets legislative approval in Healey’s roughly $62 billion budget request, the Bay State would lose its only intensive residential treatment program for children between the ages of 6 and 12 who are suffering from suicidal and/or homicidal ideations or other complex needs.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In warmer climates, for example, the liquid expands and contracts more rapidly, which can lead to a quicker extraction of flavors from the barrel.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
The director is also quick to point out how this mindset is not exclusive to the U.S. but is also widely spreading in Europe and across the world.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Jackson estate explicitly wanted nothing about Chandler in the film, so fact that the allegations do appear has led to a fierce internal dispute and extensive reshoots, Deadline has confirmed.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
-
The bottom line: The total number of applicants nationwide remains below record highs seen in the 1990s, per the WSJ, but the year-over-year jump still means fierce competition for aspiring lawyers.—
Torey Van Oot,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The duo spoke with Variety about the movie, and it’s soon revealed that in addition to their talent, the pair share a sharp sense of humor.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Powell’s latest comments, his most vivid yet on the subject, come just days after the Trump administration unveiled the sharpest ever escalation in US tariffs on data going back 200 years, Fitch Ratings told CNN — even steeper than the expansive tariffs deployed under the Smoot-Hawley Act of 1930.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share