keenly

[ keen-lee ]

adverb

1. in a way or to a degree that is very sharply or distinctly felt:

   As a husband and father, he is keenly aware of the risks inherent in his new construction job.

2. in a way that shows great mental perceptiveness or insight:

   He showed foreign policy savvy and an ability to keenly analyze both sides of an issue.

3. with strong or intense emotion or desire; eagerly:

   We committee members are keenly interested in addressing these important issues head-on.

4. in a sharply focused way; intently:

   Participants listened keenly to the training presentation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of keenly¹

First recorded before 1000; keen ¹( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

This fierce competition is now as keenly awaited as the Ashes.

From BBC

Zelensky is keenly aware that US support for Ukraine may cool if Trump returns to the White House, which would leave Ukraine more dependent on European allies like the UK.

From BBC

And she was keenly aware of the anguish, mixed with hope, that her parents felt in the decade before their sons’ bodies were found and identified.

From BBC

From my perspective as a performer, I am keenly aware of other performers’ lanes — when they’re fighting to play a character, and when they’re just belonging in that body.

From Los Angeles Times

The store, which sold products like "Super Male Vitality" and "Brain Force Plus," netted most of the company's revenue and its loss will be keenly felt.

From Salon

Related Words

• ably
• adroitly
• artfully
• carefully
• cleverly
• coolly
• deftly
• deliberately
• intelligently
• judiciously
• knowingly
• skillfully
• slyly
• smartly