Entry Word: sharp

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something <be careful, as that knife is sharp enough to slice off a finger>

Synonyms cutting, edged, edgy, ground, honed, keen, sharpened, stropped, trenchant, whetted

Related Words clawlike; jabbing, jagged, lacerating, piercing, scratching, stabbing

Near Antonyms rounded, seamless, smooth; soft; even, flat, level, slick

Antonyms blunt, blunted, dull, dulled, obtuse

2 causing intense mental or physical distress <sudden sharp pains in your right lower belly can be a sign of appendicitis>

Synonyms acute, agonizing, biting, excruciating, smart, smarting

Related Words bitter, cutting, keen, penetrating, piercing, raw, stinging; afflicting, distressing, disturbing, upsetting; cruel, grievous, harsh, heartrending, hurtful, lacerating, painful, paralyzing, severe, tormenting, torturous; insufferable, insupportable, intolerable, unacceptable, unbearable, unsupportable; appalling, awful, bad, dire, dreadful, ghastly, horrible, miserable, nasty, rotten, terrible, vile, wretched

Near Antonyms painless; acceptable, bearable, endurable, supportable, sustainable, tolerable; livable (also liveable), sufferable

Antonyms dull

3 having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor <the cheese is so sharp that its rank aroma can practically clear a room>

Synonyms nippy, pungent, strong

Related Words acid, acidic; acrid, bitter, harsh; piquant, spicy, tart, zesty; putrid, rancid, rank; acute, keen; animating, energizing, exciting, galvanizing, invigorating, provocative; appetizing, delectable, delicious, palatable, toothsome; flavorful, savory, tasty

Near Antonyms aged, mellow; gentle, soft; flat, flavorless, insipid; savorless, tasteless; dilute, thin, watery, weak

Antonyms bland, mild, smooth

4 tapering to a thin tip <tipped with a sharp arrowhead> — see pointed 1
5 being in the latest or current fashion <wore a sharp suit to his first big job interview> — see stylish
6 being strikingly neat and trim in style or appearance <a television personality whoʼs known as a sharp dresser> — see smart 1
7 causing intense discomfort to oneʼs skin <I got chapped lips from sailing all day in that sharp wind> — see cutting 1
8 given to or marked by cheating and deception <sharp business practices that are being investigated by the stateʼs consumer protection agency> — see dishonest 2
9 having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment <a sharp customer who wasnʼt about to be taken in by that smooth-tongued salesman> — see shrewd
10 having or showing quickness of mind <any sharp student would have noticed the error immediately> — see intelligent 1
11 marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings <an unnecessarily sharp retort to a perfectly civil question> — see sarcastic
12 able to sense slight impressions or differences <you have sharp eyes> — see acute 1
13 uncomfortably cool <a spell of unusually sharp weather for this time of year> — see chilly 1