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 chilling
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
Matthew Brown, BostonGlobe.com, 9 May 2023
That could require Republicans to identify even steeper reductions, perhaps totaling $16 trillion, in a move that could expose the party to sharp political attacks.
—Tony Romm, Jeff Stein and Marianna Sotomayor, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Mar. 2023
Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 26 June 2025
The screen is bright and sharp enough, the speakers aren't bad, and the cameras are 1080p.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 25 June 2025
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
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
But a reminder — the sharps were on the Eagles last year.
—Jason Abbruzzese, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sharp
Adjective
President Barack Obama agreed to sharp spending curbs that only recently expired.
—Matthew Brown, BostonGlobe.com, 9 May 2023
That could require Republicans to identify even steeper reductions, perhaps totaling $16 trillion, in a move that could expose the party to sharp political attacks.
—Tony Romm, Jeff Stein and Marianna Sotomayor, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Mar. 2023
Adverb
Yet beneath the weight of its own virality lies a sharp examination of power, perception, and the ethical boundaries of autobiographical storytelling.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 26 June 2025
The screen is bright and sharp enough, the speakers aren't bad, and the cameras are 1080p.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 25 June 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
Liquids, needles or sharps cannot be accepted — only pills or patches.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
But a reminder — the sharps were on the Eagles last year.
—Jason Abbruzzese, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sharp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharp
Adjective
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Produced by Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in Nashville, Belle Meade Bourbon is a high-rye bourbon that offers a rich and spicy profile.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Get the party started with these sweet and spicy chicken wings.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Josh Kraft, Wu’s top mayoral opponent, was more pointed in his criticism.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
4 July 2025
-
In comments to Louisville Public Media, Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, was more pointed.—
Lucas Aulbach,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Its sporty yet stylish design pairs well with both casual and dressier outfits.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
7 July 2025
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Combining sophisticated calf leather with the brand’s signature canvas, the bag is effortlessly stylish and functional.—
Molly Blanco,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
When the team stumbles across a small Titanosaurus herd, the film privileges Henry’s reaction as the paleontologist witnesses an elegant mating ritual for the first time.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
30 June 2025
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Auberge Tokito, which opened in April 2024, is an elegant Ryokan (Japanese-style restaurant with lodging facilities) in Tachikawa City on the outskirts of central Tokyo.—
Akiko Katayama,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Attendees in The Hague have framed the defense spending pledge and snappy communique as a response to the threat of Russia, not just the biting condemnation of the U.S. president.—
Ellie Cook — reporting from The Hague,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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As always, Danan’s voice is hysterically funny, her characters’ exhibiting a wry and biting sense of humor.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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In the suit, filed Friday, Newsom says that Fox News had used deceptive edits to claim that the governor had lied in saying that Trump had not called him about deploying National Guard troops during the L.A. protests.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
27 June 2025
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Florida is leading the way in what can become a national movement to crack down on hospitals’ deceptive and unfair billing practices.—
Cynthia A. Fisher,
Sun Sentinel,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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The lead character is the prince, who doesn’t want to be on the throne and is not really that smart.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
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She’s got that great State Farm commercial where everything’s better from the logo – terrific ad, very smart.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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This demographic is intelligent, tech-savvy and often more financially empowered than younger consumers.—
Lara Devgan,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Maresca would be sensible to look at the way Brighton utilise their wingers with intelligent out-to-in runs from the touchline, exploiting spaces in behind when the likes of Joao Pedro pull opposition defensive lines out of shape.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sharp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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