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