keen 1 of 3

adjective

ˈkēn How to pronounce keen (audio)
Definition of keennext
1
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences pilots with especially keen eyesight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin the keen wind gave me chapped lips

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3
as in sharpened
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something lanced the boil with a keen scalpel

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4
as in quick
having or showing quickness of mind readers who were keen enough to realize that the writer was being satirical

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5
as in excellent
of the very best kind that new digital camera sure is keen

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6
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest a keen hunger for fame and fortune in the fashion industry

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7
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect movies gave him keen enjoyment like nothing else

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keen

2 of 3

noun

as in wail
a crying out in grief the loud keens of the widows were heard throughout the war-ravaged city

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keen

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely victims of the disaster have been keening for weeks about the slowness of governmental aid

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to howl
to make a long loud mournful sound mourners keening for the victims of the bombing

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective keen contrast with its synonyms?

The words acute and sharp are common synonyms of keen. While all three words mean "having or showing alert competence and clear understanding," keen suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind.

a keen observer of the political scene

In what contexts can acute take the place of keen?

The meanings of acute and keen largely overlap; however, acute implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination.

an acute sense of style

When would sharp be a good substitute for keen?

While the synonyms sharp and keen are close in meaning, sharp implies quick perception, clever resourcefulness, or sometimes questionable trickiness.

sharp enough to spot a confidence game

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of keen
Adjective
Salazar, a daughter of Cuban exiles and a former broadcast journalist with a keen sense for the dramatic, represents a Republican-leaning Miami-area district that is roughly 74% Hispanic. — Michael Vasquez, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 Even though social distancing may not be the term du jour any longer, the state of commercial aviation certainly has travelers keen to fly on their own time. — Debra Kamin, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
The keen-eyed among our readers will notice that the ROG glasses are largely the same inside and out as the Xreal One Pro, which cost $649. — New Atlas, 19 May 2026 The song finds Abstract continuing to explore the contours of indie and alternative rock, with a simmering lo-fi guitar riff that gives way to the uneasy keen of a synth. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
Verb
Of course, Plant also used those keening high notes to express an appetite for destruction. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025 He’s been lauded for sounding like a vestige of another age — his supple, keening tenor the result of years of apprenticeship to the Pakistani artists Ustad Saami and Farida Khanum. — Emily Lordi Philip Cheung, New York Times, 10 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for keen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keen
  1. sensitive
  2. biting
  3. sharp
  4. quick
  5. excellent
  6. excited
  7. intense
  8. wail
Adjective
  • Some highly sensitive issues include relations with the European Union and Russia, but the primary focus will be dealing with corruption.
    — JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • There may be time-sensitive observations or decisions that need to be made before any instruction could arrive.
    — Dr. Najwa Aaraj, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Her version is louder and more biting, but never at the sacrifice of the track’s spirit.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In 2022, Lee County’s Mosquito Control District decided to try aiming radiation at mosquitoes instead, specifically the biting, disease-carrying kind — Aedes aegypti.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of biting
Adjective
  • Someone slaps a strip of medical tape across their lips, promises you deeper sleep, fewer snores and a sharper jawline by morning, then cuts to a dreamy sunrise shot.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • And while Kim tends to gravitate toward body-conscious silhouettes and plenty of skin, Kris has made a signature of sharp tailoring, statement accessories, and an unapologetic dose of flash.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of sharp
Adjective
  • Here’s a quick primer on the leading agents and tips for how to start.
    — Marty Swant, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Naz Reid struck fire midway through the fourth, executing, in quick succession, plays on both ends of the court.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • His 28-yard touchdown reception from Sam Darnold late in the second quarter beat Delane, who had excellent position.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The biggest key for the Brewers in this game is to see if their bullpen can keep their excellent pitching alive.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • We are excited by the prospect of evolving the Festival beyond what people have come to expect.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Layer in Musk's visionary nature and ability to get investors excited, and you're left with an earnings conference call that should be considered required reading for any market participant.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • The hearing took place amid the intense debate surrounding the risks posed by advanced AI models.
    — Ian Thomas,Colleen McKown, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Sexton’s intense playing style has remained as his career has evolved.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of intense
Noun
  • When the sun goes down, the wind picks up in central New Mexico, whipping through arid canyons with a ghostly howl that for centuries, locals have likened to the wails of the folkloric ghost La Llorona.
    — Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Feverish with feeling, the women scream, wail and sob, each one experiencing her misery multiply in real time as the remaining two look on in disdain.
    — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of wail

Phrases Containing keen

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keels (over)
keen
keened
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Cite this Entry

“Keen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keen. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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