acutely

American  

[uh-kyoot-lee] / əˈkjut 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.

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Other Word Forms

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

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Etymology

Origin of acutely

acute ( def. ) + -ly

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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

See Examples For:

acutely

Jeff Dyke, president of Sonic Automotive, one of the largest car retailers in the U.S., is acutely aware.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

For Ben Currie, he is acutely aware of the gap between trophies, having been with the club during their four other visits - albeit he is yet to actually a appear in a Grand Final.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

We can easily patronize older people, and my mom, for one, is acutely aware of that.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026

As a wasp biologist, I’ve noticed it acutely, because my students need wasps for their experiments, and we simply can’t find them.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026

One arm was bent under her, caught under her, in a way that must have been acutely uncomfortable, if not rather painful.

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger

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Related Words

• keenly
• severely

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