keenness
1
4.8
- noun
- /ˈkiːn.nəs/
- 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
18
4.0
The ability to notice and understand things quickly
17
6.6
The ability to notice and judge things clearly and wisely
16
2.8
Quick thinking that finds smart new ideas and solutions
11
4.1
An ability to notice small details that others miss
8
3.8
A quick, clear way of thinking that helps solve problems
7
8.1
Ability to think quickly and clearly
4
6.4
Quick, clear thinking that helps you understand and decide
3
4.3
Noticing small details and understanding what they mean
2
4.0
The ability to think quickly and act cleverly
2
4.1
A quick mind that understands things clearly
2
9.6
The ability to notice and understand things quickly and clearly
1
4.1
Ability to think and respond very fast in the mind
1
6.9
Skill in understanding people or situations quickly and using that to your advantage
1
6.6
Being quick to notice small details and other people's feelings
1
5.8
Quick, clear thinking that notices small details
1
4.8
Quick thinking that helps you understand and answer fast
1
6.7
A deep understanding that sees what others do not about people or situations
1
7.4
Thinking quickly and understanding things easily
1
8.0
A quick ability to notice and understand things
1
9.9
The ability to notice and understand things quickly
1
9.9
The ability to understand things quickly and make good decisions
The ability to notice small details by paying attention
Antonyms
How Sharp
Surface Forms
Morphology
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.