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
Many suffered from acute radiation sickness as a result.
—
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 26 Apr. 2026
Yadav said many sailors reported acute shortages of food and drinking water, with some vessels forced to ration supplies.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
The International Rescue Committee reported this week that around 77% of Gaza’s population is expected to face acute food insecurity this year.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
The pressure is so acute that the Gulf is looking to build brand new trade routes, Semafor’s Saudi Arabia bureau chief wrote.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acute
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 26 Apr. 2026
Yadav said many sailors reported acute shortages of food and drinking water, with some vessels forced to ration supplies.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
The International Rescue Committee reported this week that around 77% of Gaza’s population is expected to face acute food insecurity this year.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
The pressure is so acute that the Gulf is looking to build brand new trade routes, Semafor’s Saudi Arabia bureau chief wrote.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acute
Adjective
-
The ability to acquire land in fee simple is essential and, in many cases, the most effective and expedient way to protect sensitive landscapes, especially in rapidly developing areas.—
Susan Carr,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Eating large amounts or consuming them on an empty stomach may increase the likelihood of discomfort in sensitive individuals.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The situation sparked immediate on-the-ground reporting from journalists across the media spectrum who took to social media platforms to deliver urgent reports.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan said people have reported to them and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center that they've been denied urgent and routine medical care over the past 10 months.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
By the final showdown, the production has made use of every bit of stage space, with sensational flying sequences (choreographed by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant) that allow the vampires to float, hover, and—in one especially intense moment—dive from that bridge.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The moment has sparked an outpouring of empathy, with many pointing to the intense pressure drivers face on the job.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With tricky remaining fixtures, that 38 per cent probability could very easily increase by next week, but Nuno’s side will be keen to keep their destiny in their own hands for as long as possible.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In London, other performance brands went to lengths to emphasize that their products aren’t just for runners and athletes, but for anyone keen to move and support those involved.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Data centers also have sharp demand spikes driven by computing-intensive tasks, such as training models.—
Mark Chediak,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Tilson Thomas’ New World Symphony, an ensemble and intensive three-year fellowship program for music school graduates to hone their craft, and its home at the New World Center in Miami Beach, are considered to be crown jewels in the Miami area’s art scene.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The reactive Moon opposes Mars, creating tension between quick reactions and thoughtful dialogue.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But, a host of hotels are just a quick zip from Malé.—
Shradha Shahani,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Along the way, there have been fast times, big doping busts and fierce corporate competition for the fastest humans in history.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
26 Apr. 2026
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Pre-marketing fight lands in court The fiercest pushback to Compass’s marketing strategy came from Zillow, the country’s largest home-search platform.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Nikola Katic, a mountain of a defender, all elbows and sharp edges, was terrific before suffering a season-ending injury during Bosnia and Herzegovina’s World Cup qualification win over Italy.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Three candidates are vying to lead Chula Vista, San Diego County’s second-largest city, in the June primary, with the winner set to serve a four-year term atop a City Council that has been marked in recent years by sharp partisan division.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acute. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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