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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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
Investors will likely take a keen eye to the minutes, given the sharp divisions within the central bank. — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026 Watson is keen to keep championing that legacy of defiance in Sarajevo. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 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
  • Batteries can store electricity, but extreme cold can threaten sensitive electronics and other critical hardware.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
  • There are several hundred stars that closely orbit this giant black hole and are sensitive to its gravity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • The pacing is more frenetic, the narration more biting, the flashbacks more jarring, and the comedowns much harsher.
    — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026
Definition of biting
Adjective
  • Style them with an essential tee and their sharp, pointed Maelle pumps for an extra dose of attitude.
    — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The sharp pointed toes of this designer style are adorned with lace-up detailing, a subtle nod to the lacing of a corset.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of sharp
Adjective
  • As Vogue Business reported last year, brands were quick to adjust their playbooks as GLP-1 use became increasingly widespread.
    — Perdita Nouril, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But uncovering the identity of the decades-old body would not be quick work.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • Fjord, Cristian Mungiu’s legal thriller starring podcast favorite Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan; Hope, an action film starring Squid Game breakout Hoyeon; and Gentle Monster, led by an excellent Léa Seydoux.
    — Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Servite 0-1 (62) The Friars lost to an excellent Centennial of Corona team, 41-21, in Rick Garretson’s first game as Servite’s head coach.
    — Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • To see people still excited about it all these years later is crazy.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • As if the matchup isn’t reason enough to be excited about Lowe’s home run prop, playing in Colorado enhances that excitement.
    — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • Utilities have raised rates to pay for wildfire prevention and recovery as climate change has made the blazes more intense and frequent.
    — Sophie Austin, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Electrolyte beverages can help replenish hydration after an intense workout or stomach bug.
    — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of intense
Noun
  • Mourners beat their chests rhythmically in the intense summer heat, the wails of women cutting through the noise as the body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was unveiled beneath a glass case at the Grand Mosalla.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • After a second of consideration, Naim slams the grate shut to the monster’s wails, and the audience’s relief.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026
Definition of wail

Phrases Containing keen

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keels (over)
keen
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Cite this Entry

“Keen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keen. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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