acuteness

American  

[uh-kyoot-nis] / əˈkyut nɪs /

noun

1. sharpness or intensity.

   The incident illustrates with devastating acuteness how important it is to consider the needs of others when choosing our words.

2. the fact, quality, or degree of being serious or critical; severity.

   The acuteness of these social problems varies from country to country, but everywhere they are an offense against human dignity.

3. the quality of being sharp or penetrating in intellect or insight.

   I appreciated the courtesy of the committee's interrogation as well as the acuteness of their questions.

4. sensitivity even to slight details or impressions.

   The acuteness of my hearing while under nervous strain was extraordinary—I could hear a watch ticking three rooms away.

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Other Word Forms

• hyperacuteness noun
• nonacuteness noun
• overacuteness noun
• superacuteness noun

Etymology

Origin of acuteness

acute ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

A bout of weepy swooning, marveling at the acuteness of an aspartame-induced diet soda headache, was a bracing warning that even joy could be distractingly paralyzing.

From Washington Post

It is impossible to express with what acuteness I felt the convict’s breathing, not only on the back of my head, but all along my spine.

From Literature

Today, corporations are celebrating the dwindling acuteness of the pandemic threat by forcibly encouraging employees back into offices.

From New York Times

Gym and fitness studio operators have their own argument to make for the acuteness of their need.

From Washington Post

But his book is also very much about the things that kept him alive — Bach’s music, Proust’s fiction, friends and acuteness of all variety.

From New York Times