acute | Definition of acute

Synonyms and Antonyms of acute

1 able to sense slight impressions or differences

dogs, with their acute sense of smell, are used for finding toxic substances undetectable by humans

Synonyms of acute

delicate, fine, keen, perceptive, quick, sensitive, sharp

Words Related to acute

accurate, clear, discerning, good, piercing, precise, receptive, sensible, subtle

hair-trigger, hyperacute, hypersensitive, oversensitive, supersensitive

Near Antonyms of acute

bad, deadened, dimmed, dull, dulled, fading

dead, imperceptive, insensible, insensitive, numb

imprecise, inaccurate

2 needing immediate attention

famine caused by an acute shortage of grain

Synonyms of acute

burning, clamant, compelling, critical, crying, dire, emergent, exigent, imperative, imperious, importunate, instant, necessitous, pressing, urgent

Words Related to acute

demanding, extreme, immediate, insistent, intense, overriding

crucial, desperate, grave, life-and-death (also life-or-death), serious, severe, vital

dangerous, explosive, hazardous, perilous, precarious, unstable

Near Antonyms of acute

incidental, low-pressure, minor, negligible, trivial, unimportant

nonthreatening, safe, stable

Antonyms of acute

noncritical, nonurgent

3 extreme in degree, power, or effect

experiencing acute distress over the misunderstanding with her best friend

Synonyms of acute

almighty, blistering, deep, dreadful, excruciating, explosive, exquisite, fearful, fearsome, ferocious, fierce, frightful, furious, ghastly, hard, heavy, heavy-duty, hellacious, intense, intensive, keen, profound, terrible, vehement, vicious, violent

Words Related to acute

accentuated, aggravated, concentrated, deepened

emphasized, enhanced, heightened, intensified, magnified

exhaustive, thorough

harsh, rigorous, severe

Near Antonyms of acute

shallow, superficial

moderated, qualified

alleviated, eased, lightened, toned (down)

abated, decreased, diminished, lessened, reduced, subdued

Antonyms of acute

light, moderate, soft