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
That included everything from off-center parts at Simone Rocha to sharp, contrasting textures at KNWLS. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Sep. 2023 President Barack Obama agreed to sharp spending curbs that only recently expired. Matthew Brown, BostonGlobe.com, 9 May 2023
Adverb
The sharp upswing in extremely severe obesity among children raises the risk of developing serious medical conditions—including type 2 diabetes, steatotic liver disease, also known as fatty liver disease (MASLD), metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025 Add turkey slices, 1 slice sharp cheddar, 2 slices each tomato and cucumber, a pile of sprouts, and thinly sliced pepperoncini. Katie Sullivan Morford, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2025
Noun
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
Verb
But surely a guy a sharp as Tenax will see a way to turn this bloodline to his advantage. Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 18 July 2024 But without savers and gamblers to profit off of, the gains for sharps are limited. Dylan Matthews, Vox, 25 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for sharp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharp
Adjective
  • But after its three-year hiatus, the food chain is re-releasing the sandwich, now with three versions to choose from—original, spicy and grilled.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • Ginger Beer: As ever, the spicier the ginger beer, the better.
    Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • Gellar paired the dress with pointed toe orange sherbet-tone pumps by Le Silla.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 July 2025
  • Gale’s descriptions of the unsavory conditions in the grocery and the dairy farm are milder than what Upton Sinclair describe in The Jungle, published in 1905, but they are equally pointed.
    Deborah Williams July 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • However, there is an increasingly impressive array of stylish spots that might tempt you to stay off the beachfront, like the brand-new collection of 10 villas at Trobbu Tulum, offering a luxe private experience and even the option of all-inclusive dining.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2025
  • Based on an unfinished Jack London novel, this swinging, pre-WWI caper pairs swaggering Oliver Reed with fierce, feminist Diana Rigg for stylish '60s thrills.
    EW Staff Updated, EW.com, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • Baden-Baden Nestled alongside Germany's southwestern Black Forest, Baden-Baden is an elegant town that has been attracting wellness lovers since the Roman times.
    Sofia Markovich, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2025
  • Complementing the accommodations and A-list automobiles are the property’s elegant Espelette restaurant and bar, the 5,000-square-foot La Prairie Spa, a pool with panoramic city views, and the rarefied Rooftop culinary experience.
    Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • There is a place to scamper inside to escape the biting winds at Nordkapp — a visitor center with a coffee shop, theater, small museum and continental Europe’s northernmost post office.
    Dan Fellner, AZCentral.com, 6 July 2025
  • Share the research from 30 years ago that concludes these devices do not significantly reduce mosquito or biting insect populations.
    Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • Amazon has prevailed in a class-action lawsuit that accused it of engaging in deceptive trade practices.
    Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 19 July 2025
  • Attorney General Phil Weiser’s office sent CBZ and its constituent companies several subpoenas in September as investigators probed the chronically unsafe conditions of the companies’ properties, as well as allegations from tenants that CBZ had engaged in insurance fraud and deceptive practices.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 16 July 2025
Adjective
  • If you’re just getting started with rebounding and want something compact and easy to use (that doesn’t cost a small fortune), here’s a smart entry point.
    Jordan Galloway, SELF, 15 July 2025
  • Privacy and security concerns with smart thermostats These programs also raise important data privacy concerns.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Operation Bounce House follows Oliver Lewis, a colonist on the planet New Sonora, who leads a simple life on his family ranch, playing with his band and tending to his family's selection of intelligent agriculture bots.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • These earbuds feature intelligent noise control, which removes up to twice as much background noise as previous AirPods models.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sharp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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