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
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Recent Examples of sharp
Adjective
Florida TaxWatch, an organization known for keeping a sharp eye on overspending, has a new website that breaks down the fiscal impact of Amendment 3 in ways that are fair and factual — unlike Ingoglia’s fictional claims.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Aug. 2026 Sanders started Saturday at home, guiding a sharp touchdown drive and completing his first eight passes before an interception derailed another promising series.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
23 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Baraka, the sharp-toothed mutant from the games.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026 Dinosaur fans know that late Cretaceous-era waters were ruled by sharp-toothed sharks and sea reptiles known as mosasaurs and plesiosaurs.—CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
Ratz saw Genthner moving up the right flank with her hand outstretched asking for a lead pass and quickly sent a sharp through ball far up the wing.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026 The lyrics are mostly nonsensical club chatter, but when Scott delivers them with Kesha-worthy sleaze, the attitude is stiletto-sharp.—
Lydia Wei,
Pitchfork,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Thompson was pretty brave for weaving his fingers with Meg's, considering how long and sharp her stiletto manicure is.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
17 July 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
Tender cuts of meat, spicy cucumber salads, and lobster mac and cheese are rich but not overpowering, satisfying but not overly filling, and beautifully presented.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Aug. 2026
Such a scent—defined by its brightness, as well as its signature woody and spicy character—is comprised of fresh ginger and cedar notes with the smokiness of vetiver and the roundness of tonka beans.
Top 5 Can’t Miss A former family mansion, the elegant Villa Igiea is one of Palermo’s most opulent stays, with a history of hosting celebrities and royals during its early years.
—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Aug. 2026
Best Splurge At 7-feet tall, this bar cabinet is both elegant and dignified, pairing a walnut finish and forest green leather with brass hardware.
The pacing is more frenetic, the narration more biting, the flashbacks more jarring, and the comedowns much harsher.
—
Hannah Giorgis Yohannes,
Vanity Fair,
13 July 2026
Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.
Nobody in their right mind would argue that Alphabet and Nvidia need laws to protect them from competition, but lots of otherwise intelligent people believe that banks, an even more profitable group of companies, do need such protection.
—
Omid Malekan,
Fortune,
21 Aug. 2026
Goodbye, intelligent devices and Bluetooth-enabled everything.
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