sharp 1 of 4

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as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin I got chapped lips from sailing all day in that sharp wind

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind any sharp student would have noticed the error immediately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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sharp

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adverb

as in right
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference be there at four o'clock sharp

Synonyms & Similar Words

sharp

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noun

sharp

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sharp contrast with its synonyms?

The words acute and keen are common synonyms of sharp. While all three words mean "having or showing alert competence and clear understanding," sharp implies quick perception, clever resourcefulness, or sometimes questionable trickiness.

sharp enough to spot a confidence game

Where would acute be a reasonable alternative to sharp?

The synonyms acute and sharp are sometimes interchangeable, but acute implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination.

an acute sense of style

When is it sensible to use keen instead of sharp?

The words keen and sharp are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, keen suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind.

a keen observer of the political scene

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sharp
Adjective
High-quality 18/10 stainless steel will keep a sharp edge much longer than lower-quality materials. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025 Wall Street and global stock exchanges took a sharp nosedive Thursday as investors braced for the possibility of a recession, after Trump imposed higher tariffs on dozens of countries − including some of America’s biggest trading partners. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Adverb
In 2021, prior to BTS temporarily splitting off into individual sectors while some members pursue solo projects and others complete their mandatory military service, Jung Kook spoke to Rolling Stone about keeping his skillset sharp across the board. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2023 The 27-year-old didn’t come out sharp, allowing three hits, including an RBI single to Royce Lewis, in a 27-pitch first inning. Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2023
Noun
Liquids, needles or sharps cannot be accepted — only pills or patches. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024 But a reminder — the sharps were on the Eagles last year. Jason Abbruzzese, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024
Verb
That could require Republicans to identify even steeper reductions, perhaps totaling $16 trillion, in a move that could expose the party to sharp political attacks. Tony Romm, Jeff Stein and Marianna Sotomayor, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Mar. 2023 Investors are reassessing their outlook for economic growth amid these massive policy risks, leading to sharp down and up movements in stock markets. Christian Weller, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for sharp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharp
Adjective
  • This venue is open 24 hours a day with a menu of complimentary bar snacks like pretzel bites with spicy mustard, bowls of chili and burgers.
    Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Fiery chili-crisp pasta, spicy cocoa shrimp, beef mala hot pot, and more tingle-inducing recipes.
    Carly Westerfield, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The pointed remarks came as Vance visited U.S. troops on Pituffik Space Base on the mineral-rich, strategically critical island.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2025
  • After O’Brien’s interest in running became public a couple of weeks ago, the Wu campaign issued a pointed response.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The exterior layout is stylish and functional that features a massive sundec and a killer beach club that allows guests easy access to the water.
    Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Golf push carts are a stylish and convenient way to tote your clubs around the course with a wide array of features and storage.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • However, Rosewood Baha Mar is arguably the most elegant, drawing a more discerning and spendy crowd.
    Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Many reviews praised Fitzgerald’s elegant prose but dismissed the book’s literary significance.
    Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Many of his biting posts have gone viral, drawing thousands of shares and millions of views.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The criticism from Barney Ronay at The Guardian was even more biting.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • However, when adjusted for inflation, real prices in Turkey have dropped by 10.4 percent, illustrating how price growth can be deceptive without factoring in inflation.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Had these assessments been conducted, issues like algorithmic bias, content manipulation and deceptive AI practices would have been flagged before litigators intervened.
    Patrick Sullivan, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Take smart risks now to avoid catch-up costs later.
    Martin Zwilling, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Body scale: on sale for $79.95 Original price: $99.95 This smart scale measures weight, BMI, body fat percentage, muscle mass, bone mass, and water percentage.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Recognizing team members regularly enhances your emotional intelligence (EI) and creates a more emotionally intelligent workplace.
    Luciana Paulise, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • There is a troubling amount of survey data that has suggested that even in the contemporary era, there are many people who believe that Black people are inherently less intelligent genetically, and therefore that educational interventions are not likely to be effective.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sharp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

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