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
The world’s second-largest economy continues to face a range of challenges, from job insecurity among the younger generation to sharp downturns in the property sector, once a cornerstone of the country’s economic growth. Hassan Tayir, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025 The former president's endorsement process has evolved from haphazard to sharp and effective, rendering all other endorsements all but obsolete. Kaleigh Rogers, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2024
Adverb
In March, the Daily Mail reported that the late Queen, known for her sharp wit, used to perform impersonations of both Donald and Melania. Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025 Nguyen did offer a note of caution—one which the Fed will also be mindful of at its meeting this week—which is that a sharp rise in spending over the past three months was driven by higher prices. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
Offensive coordinator Kirby Moore has welcomed the push on both sides and has emphasized the competition has kept each quarterback sharp knowing the other is ready. Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025 Scientists at Museums Victoria’s Research Institute say the discovery offers a rare glimpse into the earliest stages of baleen whale evolution, showing the family’s roots in active, sharp-toothed predators. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2025
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
  • Earlier this year, Wingstop added crispy chicken tenders to the menu alongside a dozen flavors such as Hawaiian, Cajun, Louisiana rub, spicy Korean Q, atomic, garlic parmesan, lemon pepper, and mango habanero.
    George A. Paul, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Its 3 most popular items served are its signature dish, the avocado smash, its warm chicken & ancients grain bowl, and its Bluestone burrito with spicy potato wedges.
    Gary Stern, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Brooks Nader, presenter at the Daily Front Row Fashion Media Awards co-hosted by Casamigos, paired her honey blonde hair with a timeless black one-shoulder dress and pointed-toe heels.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
  • While Milwaukee is sitting pretty, manager Pat Murphy had some pointed comments after Saturday's game.
    Field Level Media, Reuters, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • On top of that, the glossy colors and neutral prints look stylish and match with everything.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • After decades of simple stemware and minimalist tumblers, wild, eye-catching vessels now adorn stylish tables.
    New York Times, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In a dark wash The most elegant, most versatile, and easiest solution for how to style barrel jeans is simply buying a pair in a dark wash.
    Lucía Tejo, Glamour, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Named one of the best new hotels of 2024 by T+L editors in the annual It List, this sharp 190-key property pays homage to British automotive and aeronautic history with a replica of the Concorde on the ceiling of its elegant rooftop restaurant, Brooklands by Claude Bosi.
    Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The characters have this sharp, biting, British humor.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
  • There’s Bud the biting cat, played by a feline named Tonic and who deserves a three-picture deal.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, a group of states led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton separately sued Google for anticompetitive and deceptive practices in its ad business.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Katie’s denial was once again found to be deceptive.
    Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Meta also introduced a new pair of smart glasses made in collaboration with Oakley designed for high-performance sportspeople.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Meta has been developing its smart glasses with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica since 2019, and last year renewed a long-term partnership agreement to continue making the products.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For organizations that are serious about modernizing their platforms and adopting AI to drive efficiency and growth, intelligent archiving should be a core part of their digital transformation and data readiness strategies.
    Sean Nathaniel, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Bob was charismatic, intelligent, intense, always interesting— and one of the finest actors ever.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sharp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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