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
Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
Palm Royale Fans who loved Devon’s sharp wit in Sirens will find a kindred spirit in Palm Royale’s Maxine (Kristen Wiig), a woman who schemes her way into the inner circle of Palm Beach’s most exclusive country club.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 3 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
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
See All Example Sentences for sharp
Adjective
The Sunday terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, two weeks after two Israeli Embassy employees were killed in Washington, D.C., highlights a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents that have occurred in the United States since 2020.
—Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
Palm Royale Fans who loved Devon’s sharp wit in Sirens will find a kindred spirit in Palm Royale’s Maxine (Kristen Wiig), a woman who schemes her way into the inner circle of Palm Beach’s most exclusive country club.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 3 June 2025
Adverb
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
Noun
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
Verb
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
See All Example Sentences for sharp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharp
Adjective
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The whisky is robust and flavorful on the palate, showcasing baked apple, candied orange zest, fried or caramelized banana, herbal nots of tobacco and anise/licorice, nuts, dark chocolate, seasoned oak, hints of caramel, and spicy hints of cinnamon and clove.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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Another hit from the party came from Jar’s Suzanne Tract, who brought spicy shrimp dumplings and kimchi dumplings from Pao Jao Dumpling House started by Eunice Lee and Seong Cho in the food court of the Koreatown Plaza on Western Ave.—
Laurie Ochoa,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
His pointed question drew some cheers and applause from elsewhere in the chamber.—
Chloe Mayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
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President Donald Trump delivered a Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday that combined solemn tributes with pointed political remarks and self-congratulatory rhetoric, in a speech that diverged from the traditional tone of presidential remembrance.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Fortunately, Amazon is overflowing with affordable, stylish, and cooling linen pants that will instantly upgrade your most casual outfits while keeping you comfy, regardless of the temperature.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2025
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During summer, the options are limited to a few core fabrics that don’t retain heat and look stylish for the season: linen, seersucker and tropical wool.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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The newest model continues to fuse advanced materials with Japanese craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology to create a timepiece that is durable, precise and elegant.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
6 June 2025
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And Just Like That… is, for lack of a more elegant term, so goddamn weird this season.—
Emma Bocchi,
Vogue,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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But when Afrikaners began to take a serious interest in Mr. Trump’s refugee program, the biting remarks were unleashed.—
Zimasa Matiwane,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Katy Perry is continuing to catch strays, this time from the most biting demographic of all: the pop girlie fandom.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Last year, the Biden administration's Transportation Department opened an inquiry ordering American, Delta Air Lines, Southwest and United to provide records and submit reports to ensure consumers do not face unfair, deceptive, or anticompetitive practices.—
David Shepardson,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
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The quest to build human-level AI agents using techniques known to produce deceptive tendencies, Bengio says, is comparable to a car speeding down a narrow mountain road, with steep cliffs on either side, and thick fog obscuring the path ahead.—
Harry Booth,
Time,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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My family doctor sometimes gets me good care through sub-specialists — few actual doctors, but nonetheless smart people.—
Charles Hammer,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2025
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Related article iPhone could triple in price to $3,500 if they’re made in the US, analyst warns Mohit Kumar, CEO and founder of smart ring maker Ultrahuman, has firsthand experience shifting production of a tech product to the US from India.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Designing the Future of AI Artificial intelligence is powering a new generation of tools that combine logic with intelligent action.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
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By freeing physicians from the need to be behind their computers during appointments, these intelligent assistants enable a more personal and engaging interaction with patients.—
Rakhee Langer,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sharp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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