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Definition of sharpnext
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as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin I got chapped lips from sailing all day in that sharp wind

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind any sharp student would have noticed the error immediately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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sharp

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adverb

as in right
as stated or indicated without the slightest difference be there at four o'clock sharp

Synonyms & Similar Words

sharp

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noun

sharp

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verb

Synonym Chooser

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sharp
Adjective
The victim tried to defend himself, pulling a sharp object from his bag, police said. Dylan Olsen, CBS News, 21 June 2026 La Celeste looked much sharper after the break as Real Madrid star Federico Valverde came alive. Ben Church, CNN Money, 21 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
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 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
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
  • This sweet and spicy guacamole contains chunks of golden mango mixed with a combination of jalapeño peppers and habanero pepper purée, plus onion, red bell pepper, cilantro, and, of course, Hass variety avocados.
    Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 23 June 2026
  • Even the sweet-and-spicy combinations showing up on menus this summer usually start with a base of garlic or ginger.
    Ascend Agency, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • The president's remarks prompted a pointed response from Meloni.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • The deal has raised pointed questions over rights for producers and distributors whose deals with TF1 were struck before the Netflix partnership emerged.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Beren has achived high ratings from customers since moving into a stylish dining room that was formerly a vegetarian fine-dining restaurant.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 June 2026
  • Baby blue is tranquil and stylish—but just offbeat enough to be interesting.
    Elle Turner, Glamour, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • Evening dining features an elegant dress code, with the exception of the casual lobster bake held on Fridays.
    Chelsea Adams, USA Today, 20 June 2026
  • These summer-flowering bulbs produce elegant, tall spikes of flowers that contrast well with the more traditional bloom shapes of dahlias.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • So Google isn’t trying to release more biting mosquitoes into neighborhoods.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
  • Netflix’s big comedy bet might be the Dan Levy–Rachel Sennott co-creation Big Mistakes; the biting, farcical series about adult siblings who get caught up in the drug business plays like Weeds crossed with The Other Two.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • Despite criticism over opaque and deceptive practices, prediction markets’ election favorites won most of the time, a Washington Post analysis found; more liquid in betting markets improves their accuracy, economists told CNN, but could carry negative social costs.
    Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 23 June 2026
  • This is the essence of GPS spoofing, in which an attacker floods a GPS receiver with deceptive signals.
    Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • But behind every chatbot, smart assistant and AI image generator sits a massive physical network.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
  • The plot sees Bonnie, now eight, increasingly drawn to a smart tablet, Lilypad, challenging her traditional toys led by Jessie.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • The human brain is the ultimate existence proof that intelligent systems that are vastly more energy-efficient than today’s AI are physically possible.
    Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026
  • It was revered for its intelligent satire of modern society and materialism, providing sight gags and slapstick humor for kids while proving relatable for young adults learning to navigate life.
    Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sharp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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