1
as in sharpened
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something
be careful, as that knife is sharp enough to slice off a finger
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2
as in spicy
having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor
that cheese is so sharp that its rank aroma can practically clear a room
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3
4
as in stylish
being in the latest or current fashion
wore a sharp suit to his first big job interview
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5
as in elegant
being strikingly neat and trim in style or appearance
a television personality who's known as a sharp dresser
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6
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
I got chapped lips from sailing all day in that sharp wind
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7
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception
sharp business practices that are being investigated by the state's consumer protection agency
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8
as in smart
having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment
a sharp customer who wasn't about to be taken in by that smooth-tongued salesman
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9
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind
any sharp student would have noticed the error immediately
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10
as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
an unnecessarily sharp retort to a perfectly civil question
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11
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences
you have sharp eyes
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12
as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a spell of unusually sharp weather for this time of year
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as in right
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference
be there at four o'clock sharp
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as in adept
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
the computer sharp that the rest of the staff turns to whenever their PCs act up
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sharp
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 June 2026
Police said the other woman then pulled out a sharp object and stabbed the victim in the back.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
From the Palisade and Telluride, some of the best in their respective classes, to truly impressive EVs and sharp-looking economy cars, Hyundai and Kia have been underestimated at multiple points, and now the industry’s watching closely.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 15 Apr. 2026
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2025
In order to protect waste haulers and others against injury and contamination, there are special steps to dispose of needles and sharps.
—Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 3 July 2025
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
The Wolf & Shepherd Crossover Plain Toe Derby Shoes are $87 off and sharp enough for weddings or work trips.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sharp
Adjective
Its revivification of history — staged simply and vaulted to extremes of anguish and tension by its fine acting — is both chilling and, in a sharp, icky way, often funny.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 June 2026
Police said the other woman then pulled out a sharp object and stabbed the victim in the back.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Adverb
Luke Kennard, who last month was competing for additional bench minutes as a sharp-shooting specialist, recognized the proverbial freedom as well.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
From the Palisade and Telluride, some of the best in their respective classes, to truly impressive EVs and sharp-looking economy cars, Hyundai and Kia have been underestimated at multiple points, and now the industry’s watching closely.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
Not impressed by stadium prospects in San Diego, NFL sharps created a sure thing for the Spanoses 120 miles north by assuring the Chargers a spot in the Kroenke Dome that Rams owner and mega-billionaire Stan Kroenke would build in Inglewood.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2025
In order to protect waste haulers and others against injury and contamination, there are special steps to dispose of needles and sharps.
—Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 3 July 2025
Verb
Why would sharp-as-nails med school grads opt toward a presumably dead-end occupational route?
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
The Wolf & Shepherd Crossover Plain Toe Derby Shoes are $87 off and sharp enough for weddings or work trips.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sharp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharp
Adjective
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So a delegation was despatched into a fairly spicy area of Mexico City called Tepito, famous for its markets.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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The spicy chicken sandwich, IMO, was actually BETTER than the old sandwich.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Her pointed-toe boots combined a matte panel through the front with shinier sections along the sides and shaft.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
14 June 2026
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Her skirt featured a thigh-high slit in the back, showing off a peep of her metallic pointed-toe stilettos from Aquazzura.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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The North Face is known for its stylish yet functional jackets, like this insulated parka that comes in several shades, including a trendy chocolate shade.—
Cai Cramer,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
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Josie’s design of Sister Europe is rich, playful and stylish—the magpie in me is super drawn to her glimmering illustration and colour choices.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
11 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The bed’s half-moon silhouette is elegant and the perfect space-saving design for tighter gardens or patios.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Aug. 2025
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Not only do Loewe’s interior scents—like its refreshing cucumber fragrance—smell wonderful, but the elegant bottles make attractive ornaments for your bookshelf or coffee table.—
Katherine Burns Olson,
Architectural Digest,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Chill Factor Perhaps the most biting statistic of the season so far is the temperature.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Morbidly Jewish finds Raanan at his most biting, acerbic, angry, Jewish, and, as always…loud.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The deceptive piece is the marketing.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
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Legal and privacy concerns The lawsuit accuses Amazon of violating the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits deceptive and unfair business practices.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Food systems now account for about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, but scientists say regenerative agriculture and climate-smart farming can help flip that into a future where farms also help grow climate solutions.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Gerard Damiano was a smart guy, a hairdresser from the Bronx who directed Deep Throat and the follow-up, Devil in Miss Jones, which were killing it at the box office, high up on Variety’s Top 50 list of the highestgrossing films.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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PCMag expert Brian Westover praised the Surface Pro 2024 in his review, highlighting its seamless integration of AI tools through Windows 11 Copilot and calling it a standout for its intelligent features and robust hardware.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
12 June 2026
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The future demands a neutral, interoperable and intelligent global trade infrastructure that reduces friction, expands inclusion and restores trust across borders.—
Meelan Gupta,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sharp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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