acutely sensitive

USAGE SUMMARY

"acutely sensitive" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means extremely aware or perceptive, and can be used to describe someone who is highly attuned to their surroundings or emotions. Example: Sarah's acutely sensitive nature made her a great listener and friend, as she was always able to pick up on subtle cues and provide support when needed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Still, Larkin had an acutely sensitive ear.

The New York Times - Books

China's acutely sensitive nose has been put out of joint.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indonesia is acutely sensitive to bird-related disease scares.

The New York Times

Especially when paired off with a drummer, he can be acutely sensitive to dynamics.

The New York Times - Arts

Maxwell, who was acutely sensitive about press coverage of his affairs, spent thousands on legal actions.

The Guardian

The United States must be acutely sensitive to the vulnerability of its space systems.

The New York Times

Friedrich Nietzsche, who famously announced the death of God, was acutely sensitive to this issue.

The Guardian - Opinion

But editors are acutely sensitive and obsessively responsive to changing demand among their readers.

The Guardian

And yet ESPN can be acutely sensitive about its own language.

The New Yorker

And aipac now seems acutely sensitive to the appearance of dual loyalty.

The New Yorker

It's a culture of irreverent individualism to which the Echo design team is acutely sensitive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acutely sensitive" when you want to emphasize a heightened level of awareness, responsiveness, or vulnerability to specific stimuli or situations. Ensure the context clearly defines what the subject is sensitive to.

Common error

Avoid using "acutely sensitive" without specifying the object or area of sensitivity. For example, instead of saying "He is acutely sensitive", specify "He is acutely sensitive to criticism" or "He is acutely sensitive to changes in temperature."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acutely sensitive" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier. It describes a noun by indicating a heightened degree of awareness, responsiveness, or vulnerability. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acutely sensitive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves as an adjectival modifier, emphasizing a high degree of awareness or responsiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is applicable across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define the subject's sensitivity to avoid overgeneralization. While there are many alternative phrases available like "highly perceptive" or "extremely aware", the choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey. Remember to specify the object of sensitivity to provide clarity and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly perceptive

Emphasizes the ability to understand things quickly and accurately.

extremely aware

Highlights a strong consciousness of surroundings or situations.

exceptionally responsive

Focuses on the quick and effective reaction to stimuli.

remarkably attuned

Implies a deep connection and understanding of something.

intensely observant

Stresses the careful and detailed attention to visual information.

keenly discerning

Suggests an ability to distinguish subtle differences.

deeply affected

Indicates a strong emotional impact or influence.

particularly vulnerable

Highlights susceptibility to negative influences or harm.

noticeably reactive

Focuses on the tendency to respond quickly to external stimuli.

delicately receptive

Implies a refined and sensitive openness to new information.

FAQs

How can I use "acutely sensitive" in a sentence?

You can use "acutely sensitive" to describe someone or something that is highly perceptive or easily affected by external stimuli. For example: "The market is "acutely sensitive" to any potential indication of impropriety" or "Young children are "acutely sensitive" but lack the skill, experience and self-sufficiency to deal with strong feelings."

What's a less formal way to say "acutely sensitive"?

Alternatives to "acutely sensitive" include "very aware", "highly responsive", or "easily affected", depending on the context. These options convey a similar meaning while maintaining a less formal tone.

Is it better to use "acutely sensitive" or "very sensitive"?

"Acutely sensitive" emphasizes a higher degree of sensitivity compared to "very sensitive". Use "acutely sensitive" when you want to highlight an extreme level of awareness or responsiveness. "Very sensitive" is suitable for general situations where heightened sensitivity is present but not necessarily extreme.

What does it mean to say that someone is "acutely sensitive" to something?

To say that someone is "acutely sensitive" to something means that they are extremely aware of it and easily affected by it. It indicates a heightened level of perception and responsiveness to specific stimuli, such as emotions, criticism, or environmental factors.