acuteness

[ uh-kyoot-nis ]

noun

1. sharpness or intensity:

   The incident illustrates with devastating acuteness how important it is to consider the needs of others when choosing our words.

2. the fact, quality, or degree of being serious or critical; severity:

   The acuteness of these social problems varies from country to country, but everywhere they are an offense against human dignity.

3. the quality of being sharp or penetrating in intellect or insight:

   I appreciated the courtesy of the committee's interrogation as well as the acuteness of their questions.

4. sensitivity even to slight details or impressions:

   The acuteness of my hearing while under nervous strain was extraordinary—I could hear a watch ticking three rooms away.

Other Words From

• hy·per·a·cute·ness noun
• non·a·cute·ness noun
• o·ver·a·cute·ness noun
• su·per·a·cute·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of acuteness¹

acute ( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

A bout of weepy swooning, marveling at the acuteness of an aspartame-induced diet soda headache, was a bracing warning that even joy could be distractingly paralyzing.

From Washington Post

The Kremlin’s statement was more vague, saying that “taking into account the acuteness of the current state of affairs, the presidents considered it expedient to intensify the search for solutions to diplomatic means.”

From Washington Post

“I do not know. I rather believe you are giving me more credit for acuteness than I deserve. I smile because you smile, and shall probably suspect whatever I find you suspect; but at present I do not see what there is to question. If Colonel Campbell is not the person, who can be?”

From Literature

It is impossible to express with what acuteness I felt the convict’s breathing, not only on the back of my head, but all along my spine.

From Literature

Today, corporations are celebrating the dwindling acuteness of the pandemic threat by forcibly encouraging employees back into offices.

From New York Times