Chronic-Acute | Commonly Confused Words
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Chronic vs. Acute

Chronic

/ˈkrɒnɪk/
Something continuing for a long time or occurring repeatedly; often refers to diseases or problems.

Examples:

'It was a chronic condition with Ralph Paton,' he said dryly.Chronic stress can lead to significant health issues.Her chronic lateness led to problems at work.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Acute

/əˈkjuːt/
Something that is very severe, sharp, or intense; often refers to diseases, angles, or observations.

Examples:

How very acute you are, Mortimer, in finding my weak place!Persecution mania very acute.He had acute insight into the team's dynamics.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Chronic conditions develop slowly and last a long time, while acute conditions occur suddenly and are severe.
  • Remember chronic like chronicle which suggests a long-lasting story; acute can be thought of as an acute angle which is sharp and sudden.
  • Chronic issues are persistent; acute ones are abrupt and often require immediate attention.
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