acutely

American  

[uh-kyoot-lee] / əˈkyut li /

adverb

1. having a sharp, severe, or intense effect.

   Reductions in the workforce will be felt most acutely by those in entry-level jobs.

   Compounds formed by reaction with the contaminant create the potential for formation of acutely toxic products.

2. having an extremely great or serious effect; critically.

   The Iberian lynx is considered the most acutely endangered species of wildcat.

3. happening briefly or severely; happening at a single point in time (opposed tochronically ).

   The report describes a patient presenting acutely with mental symptoms of confusion and hallucinations.

   We studied the effects of field-realistic doses of the herbicide on honeybees exposed either chronically or acutely.

4. in a way that is intellectually penetrating or insightful; perceptively.

   In this acutely focused exhibition, the artist delves deeply into a single object: her kitchen sink.

5. in a way that is sensitive to even slight details or impressions.

   The orchestra matched the inspirational conductor beautifully, interacting and responding acutely.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overacutely
  adverb
• nonacutely
  adverb
• superacutely
  adverb
• hyperacutely
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of acutely

acute ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

Use the adverb acutely to mean sharply or intensely. If your teacher reads your poem in front of the entire class, you may feel proud — or you might be acutely embarrassed. In medicine, acutely is used to emphasize the seriousness of a condition or injury: "She is acutely allergic to antibiotics, so be sure to write that on her chart." Otherwise, you can use this adverb for anything that's especially vivid, like when you're acutely aware that everyone in the room is staring at your purple hat, or intensely unpleasant, like your little brother's acutely annoying whine. The Latin root, acutus, means "sharp or pointed."

Example Sentences

But why is this part of Birmingham so acutely affected throughout all ages?

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

It got to be too much, he’d explain later, continuing to hustle to keep his baseball career afloat while keeping his sexuality secret, acutely aware of the blowback he’d get if it got out.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

Confronting the grief in unvarnished form might sting, and perhaps acutely.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

“California is the state where the supply pinch is being felt first, and I would say most acutely, and it’s flowed through all the way to the street,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

But I’m acutely aware that I’m the only one gushing.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Related Words

• keenly
• severely