acute

adjective

ə-ˈkyüt How to pronounce acute (audio)
acuter; acutest
Synonyms of acutenext
1
a(1)
: characterized by sharpness or severity of sudden onset
acute pain
(2)
: of rapid onset and relatively short duration
acute illness
see also acute disease
(3)
: being, providing, or requiring short-term medical care (as for acute disease or traumatic injury)
acute hospitals
an acute patient
b
: lasting a short time
acute experiments
2
: ending in a sharp point: such as
a
: being or forming an angle measuring less than 90 degrees
an acute angle
b
: composed of acute angles
an acute triangle
3
a
of an accent mark : having the form ´
b
: marked with an acute accent
c
: of the variety indicated by an acute accent
4
a
: marked by keen discernment or intellectual perception especially of subtle distinctions
an acute thinker
b
: responsive to slight impressions or stimuli
acute hearing
5
: felt, perceived, or experienced intensely
acute distress
6
: demanding urgent attention
an acute emergency
acutely adverb
acuteness noun

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Ways to Be Acute

For such a short and simple-looking word, acute has a rather bewildering range of meanings. It first entered the English language with a medical sense, referring to the sharpness or severity of a symptom. It retains this meaning today, but can also refer to the severity of more general matters, such as "acute embarrassment" or "an acute shortage."

Acute is also frequently used to describe less troublesome matters, such as keenness of perception ("an acute observer" or "an acute sense of smell"), a type of angle (one measuring less than 90 degrees), or the demand for urgent attention ("acute danger").

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for acute

acute, critical, crucial mean of uncertain outcome.

acute stresses intensification of conditions leading to a culmination or breaking point.

an acute housing shortage

critical adds to acute implications of imminent change, of attendant suspense, and of decisiveness in the outcome.

the war has entered a critical phase

crucial suggests a dividing of the ways and often a test or trial involving the determination of a future course or direction.

a crucial vote

synonyms see in addition sharp

Examples of acute in a Sentence

an acute sense of humor It's a politically acute film that does not oversimplify the issues.
Recent Examples on the Web Thousands of Syrians have left Lebanon this year as that country suffers acute economic hardship and tensions rise over neighboring Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. —Niki Kitsantonis, New York Times, 11 June 2024 The state is already stretched thin when called upon to meet day-to-day demands, never mind when it is expected to respond to acute crises ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to the serial coups across the Sahel. —Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024 Appropriate medical treatment to manage immediate allergic reactions must be immediately available in the event an acute anaphylactic reaction occurs following administration of SPIKEVAX. —Kansas City Star, 7 June 2024 For example, somebody with an emergent acute medical condition. —Abc News, ABC News, 6 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for acute 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Latin acūtus "sharpened, pointed, having a violent onset, discerning, less than 90 degrees (of an angle)," from past participle of acuere "to sharpen, rouse, stimulate," probably derived from an otherwise unattested adjective stem acū- "sharp"; akin to acū-, acus "needle," a perhaps independently derived noun; further akin to Old Church Slavic osŭtŭ "thistle," Lithuanian ãšutas "hair of a horse's tail or mane"; all going back to the Indo-European base *h2eḱ- "sharp" — more at edge entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of acute was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing acute

Dictionary Entries Near acute

acutance

acute

acute bisectrix

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Acute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acute. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.

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Kids Definition

acute

adjective
ə-ˈkyüt How to pronounce acute (audio)
acuter; acutest
1
a
: severe sense 3, sharp
acute pain
b
: having a sudden onset and short duration
acute disease
2
: being or forming an angle measuring less than 90 degrees
an acute angle
3
a
: marked by keen awareness : shrewd
an acute observation
b
: having sharp perceptions : observant
4
: needing speedy attention : urgent
an acute shortage of blood plasma
5
: felt or experienced intensely
acute distress
acutely adverb
acuteness noun

Medical Definition

acute

adjective
ə-ˈkyüt How to pronounce acute (audio)
1
: sensing or perceiving accurately, clearly, effectively, or sensitively
acute vision
2
a
: characterized by sharpness or severity of sudden onset
acute pain brought on by injury
an acute infection
b(1)
: of rapid onset and relatively short duration
acute illness
an acute inflammation
see also acute disease compare chronic entry 1 sense 2a
(2)
: being, providing, or requiring short-term medical care (as for an acute disease or traumatic injury) : acute care
an acute hospital
acute patients
c
: lasting a short time
Most studies of the efficacy and safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for the treatment of children and adolescents with major depression or anxiety disorders are acute studies, generally ranging in length from eight to 12 weeks.—Karen Dineen Wagner, Psychiatric Times
acutely adverb
Since the patient's ocular symptoms had acutely worsened, he underwent immediate surgery … —Jae Yong Lee, The New England Journal of Medicine
acuteness noun
A triage nurse determines the acuteness of the patient's problem and coordinates the order for treatment, providing immediate care to critically ill or injured patients and efficient care to those less seriously ill. —Ridgecrest Regional Hospital

More from Merriam-Webster on acute

Nglish: Translation of acute for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of acute for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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