acutely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acutely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is experienced intensely or sharply, often in relation to feelings, perceptions, or conditions. Example: "She felt acutely aware of the tension in the room as the meeting progressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tate Modern became almost too popular for its own good, a heaving cultural souk – acutely in need of its planned extension – where art can occasionally be seen between massed heads and shoulders.

The Guardian - Arts

The agency found small business have limited awareness of gender equality and pay equity and was impacted more acutely than big business by things such as parental leave costs and also faced challenges when it came to implementing flexible work arrangements.

The Guardian

The much-publicised legal aid cuts are being felt up and down the country, but nowhere more acutely than in areas like the Breckfield district of Liverpool, where our head office is based.

The Guardian

While galactically jazzed at the opportunity to see Jedi, a film I'd only experienced second-hand through action figures and a Panini sticker album, I was acutely aware that family tradition dictated a far-flung woodland walk on Boxing Day.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Tsipras's leftist-led administration, while acutely aware that the majority of Greeks wish to remain part of the eurozone, insists that it does not have a mandate to enforce measures that would worsen living standards and Greece's economic woes.

The Guardian

In what will be the biggest push for peace in over a decade – in 2004 Greek Cypriots rejected what was then seen as the most sophisticated reunification plan for the island – the two men are acutely aware that time is of the essence if the erstwhile British colony is to be put back together again.

The Guardian

But although they need to be acutely aware of what is being said, and by whom, they do not need to respond to the day to day demands and rhythms generated by the commentariat or individual politicians.

The Guardian

Throughout his long life – he died in 2001 at the age of 95 – Frank Longford was acutely aware that his father had been a hero, says Rachel.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'd never be tempted by the private sector - it's a different kind of nursing, and you don't see acutely ill patients.

The Guardian

She is acutely aware of how desperate Labour is to skewer her.

The Guardian

Contrary to the first lesson of GWB, this has been an election campaign, on both sides, acutely aware of the price of everything and the value of nothing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is important, prefer "acutely" over more general adverbs like "very" or "really" to accurately convey the depth or severity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "acutely" in casual conversation or informal writing where a simpler word like "very" or "really" would suffice. Overusing it can make your language sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "acutely" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to intensify their meaning. Ludwig shows that it's often used to describe the intensity of a feeling, awareness, or sensation. Ludwig AI confirms the word is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acutely" functions as an adverb to intensify the meaning of a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is correct and very common. It's commonly used in news and media, formal writing, and scientific contexts. When using "acutely", it's important to ensure that the context warrants the emphasis it provides and to avoid overuse in informal settings. Alternatives such as "intensely", "keenly", and "sharply" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. "Acutely aware" is a common and correct usage pattern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensely

This alternative denotes a high degree of something, similar to "acutely" but emphasizes the strength of feeling or effect.

keenly

This suggests a sharp or eager awareness, comparable to "acutely" in expressing a sensitive perception.

sharply

This highlights the sudden or distinct nature of an experience, close to "acutely" in expressing clear awareness.

sensitively

This emphasizes a delicate or careful awareness, similar to "acutely" when referring to emotional or sensory experiences.

profoundly

This indicates a deep or significant impact or understanding, akin to "acutely" in expressing a strong effect.

deeply

This signifies a strong emotional or intellectual involvement, mirroring "acutely" in expressing intensity.

markedly

This underscores a noticeable or significant extent, close to "acutely" when pointing out a clear difference or change.

distinctly

This emphasizes clarity and precision, similar to "acutely" when referring to a clear perception or sensation.

powerfully

This conveys strength and influence, much like "acutely" when describing a strong impact or effect.

extremely

This indicates a very high degree, comparable to "acutely" in expressing the intensity of a condition or feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "acutely" in a sentence?

"Acutely" is typically used to describe something that is experienced intensely or sharply. For example, "She was "acutely aware" of the silence in the room", or "The economic impact was felt "acutely in the region"".

What words can I use instead of "acutely"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "intensely", "keenly", or "sharply" instead of "acutely".

Is it correct to say "acutely aware"?

Yes, ""acutely aware"" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It means being intensely or sharply aware of something.

What is the difference between "acutely" and "severely"?

"Acutely" generally refers to the intensity or sharpness of a feeling or awareness, while "severely" refers to the seriousness or harshness of a situation or condition. For example, one might be ""acutely aware"" of a problem, while a region might be "severely affected" by an economic downturn.