Keenly
What it means
With strong interest, sharp awareness, or depth of feeling.
Reach for it when describing attention or feeling whose intensity is unusually focused
Mara felt keenly how much the neighborhood had changed.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
|
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everyday
Fits when readiness and desire are plainly visible
Careful Eagerly can suggest haste where keenly may describe thoughtful interest.
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warm
deeply
Fits when strength of feeling matters most
Careful Deeply lacks keenly's suggestion of sharp, exact awareness.
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professional
Fits when positive energy is openly expressed
Careful Enthusiasm is more outward than quiet but intense attention.
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formal
acutely
Fits when awareness is precise and possibly painful
Careful Acutely can make pleasant sensitivity sound clinical or severe.
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formal
intently
Fits when concentration rather than excitement is central
Careful Intently says little about whether the attention is interested or welcome.
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literary
Fits when the experience is clear in the mind
Careful Vividly describes clarity, not the emotional force of caring.
Opposites 3
- indifferently
- faintly
- obtusely
Common phrases 3
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keenly interested
Rafi was keenly interested in the archive's newly found maps.
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keenly aware
The chair remained keenly aware of the strain on younger volunteers.
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feel keenly
Residents feel keenly the loss of the only late bus.
Word family 2
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Neskaya, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated