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keenness

keenness

4.8
A quick clear mind that notices small details
  • noun
  • /ˈkiːn.nəs/
translation icon : agudeza
  • The detective's keenness allowed him to pick up on subtle clues that others had overlooked.

Examples

  • His intellectual keenness was evident in the way he analyzed complex problems with ease.

  • He studied my face with the same keenness I had noticed on the bus.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • His eyes retained that keenness that had made him one of the best regional directors Colony Insurance ever had on its staff.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • In keenness of analysis and in its range, it surpasses any other book on economics.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Anything A lot like ones vigor ones, you know, mental keenness, you know, once speed, that's a lot.

  • Political positioning gains here at the expense of analytical keenness.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Cato describes an old age where the keenness of the intellect and experience in public life make the old man a desirable companion and advisor, particularly for younger men.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Had he lived to fulfill the enormous possibilities in his being (having existed as an animal and then coming into human form, he had such knowledge, such keenness and energy, and calm command, that he was extraordinary beyond the telling, of that I can assure you), there's no knowing what the rest of us could have seen him do.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • We believe that here again—and possibly more particularly here—they lie, in just this absence of mental keenness, in intellectual sluggishness.

    Academic text (2002)
  • They lack keenness of understanding and clarity of intelligence, and are overcome by ignorance and dullness, lack of discernment, and stupidity.

    Academic text (1995)

Synonyms

perception
vskeenness
53 4.0

The ability to notice and understand things quickly

is more specifically about quick, penetrating intelligence rather than broad sensory knowledge
discernment
vskeenness
38 6.6

The ability to notice and judge things clearly and wisely

leans more toward quick penetrating perception than careful wise judgment and choice
cleverness
vskeenness
16 2.8

Quick thinking that finds smart new ideas and solutions

is about sharp penetrating intelligence rather than playful or inventive clever acts
acuity
vskeenness
7 8.1

Ability to think quickly and clearly

is similar but gives more emphasis to piercing perception than speed
keen eye
vskeenness
7 4.1

An ability to notice small details that others miss

is broader mental alertness rather than only skill at spotting small facts
sharp mind
vskeenness
5 3.8

A quick, clear way of thinking that helps solve problems

is about the quality itself rather than naming a quick-thinking person
mental acuity
vskeenness
3 6.4

Quick, clear thinking that helps you understand and decide

is about the same clarity but highlights penetrating understanding over speed
quickness
vskeenness
2 4.1

Ability to think and respond very fast in the mind

is about quick mental action but less about penetrating, deep perception
perspicacity
vskeenness
  • Formal
2 9.6

The ability to notice and understand things quickly and clearly

focuses more on raw quick perception rather than judgment or decision
keen observation
vskeenness
1 4.3

Noticing small details and understanding what they mean

is a broader form of quick intelligence not confined to detail noticing
sharpness
vskeenness
1 4.1

A quick mind that understands things clearly

is used for the same speed and depth but more general feeling
astuteness
vskeenness
1 6.9

Skill in understanding people or situations quickly and using that to your advantage

is similar in perception but less focused on practical gain or shrewd action
smartness
vskeenness
1 4.0

The ability to think quickly and act cleverly

leans more toward deep, penetrating thought than casual cleverness or style
perceptiveness
vskeenness
1 6.6

Being quick to notice small details and other people's feelings

is more about general penetrating intelligence rather than focused subtle detail noticing
acuteness
vskeenness
1 5.8

Quick, clear thinking that notices small details

is the same quality but framed more as general mental alertness
insightfulness
vskeenness
1 6.7

A deep understanding that sees what others do not about people or situations

is quicker and more about penetrating speed than about deep thoughtful analysis
nimbleness
vskeenness
1 4.8

Quick thinking that helps you understand and answer fast

emphasizes rapid mental movement more than deep penetrating understanding
perspicaciousness
vskeenness
  • Formal
9.9

The ability to understand things quickly and make good decisions

highlights mental quickness and penetrating perception rather than applied judgment
percipience
vskeenness
  • Formal
9.9

The ability to notice and understand things quickly

leans toward deeper penetrating thought rather than only immediate clear awareness
perceptivity
vskeenness
8.0

A quick ability to notice and understand things

places more weight on overall sharp intelligence than on narrow detailed noticing
sharp-sightedness
vskeenness
6.8

The ability to notice small details by paying attention

covers general penetrating intelligence rather than only visual or attentive noticing
wittedness
vskeenness
7.4

Thinking quickly and understanding things easily

focuses more on sharp penetrating intelligence rather than humor or clever talk

Antonyms

51 3.4

A foolish action that shows poor judgment

2.3

A blade that is not sharp

How Sharp

acumen
17 7.9
keenness
4.8
sharpness
1 4.1
alertness
14 2.9
dullness
1 3.8

Surface Forms

keenness singular
keenesses plural

Morphology

keenness = keen (transparent) = keen + ness

Formed by the productive noun-forming suffix '-ness' from the adjective 'keen' meaning sharpness of mind; the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Keenness comes from keen + -ness, where keen long ago meant 'sharp' or 'piercing'. Think of a 'sharp' mind that quickly cuts to the heart of a problem, so keenness means quick, penetrating intelligence.