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
Hassan Tayir, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
The former president's endorsement process has evolved from haphazard to sharp and effective, rendering all other endorsements all but obsolete.
—Kaleigh Rogers, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2024
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
In its statement, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand said inflation was likely to return to its 2% target by the first half of next year, while pointing to weak economic activity in the middle of 2025, warranting a sharper rate cut.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Scientists at Museums Victoria’s Research Institute say the discovery offers a rare glimpse into the earliest stages of baleen whale evolution, showing the family’s roots in active, sharp-toothed predators.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2025
Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 18 July 2024
But without savers and gamblers to profit off of, the gains for sharps are limited.
—Dylan Matthews, Vox, 25 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for sharp
Adjective
The world’s second-largest economy continues to face a range of challenges, from job insecurity among the younger generation to sharp downturns in the property sector, once a cornerstone of the country’s economic growth.
—Hassan Tayir, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
The former president's endorsement process has evolved from haphazard to sharp and effective, rendering all other endorsements all but obsolete.
—Kaleigh Rogers, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2024
Adverb
Modern tailoring led the way — sharp shoulders, pencil skirts and capes in every shape and form.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
In its statement, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand said inflation was likely to return to its 2% target by the first half of next year, while pointing to weak economic activity in the middle of 2025, warranting a sharper rate cut.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
Offensive coordinator Kirby Moore has welcomed the push on both sides and has emphasized the competition has kept each quarterback sharp knowing the other is ready.
—Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Scientists at Museums Victoria’s Research Institute say the discovery offers a rare glimpse into the earliest stages of baleen whale evolution, showing the family’s roots in active, sharp-toothed predators.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
But surely a guy a sharp as Tenax will see a way to turn this bloodline to his advantage.
—Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 18 July 2024
But without savers and gamblers to profit off of, the gains for sharps are limited.
—Dylan Matthews, Vox, 25 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for sharp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharp
Adjective
-
Unlike other game-day snacks like chips or popcorn, where flavors and textures can get a little one-note after a while, ALDI’s Cajun Trail Mix keeps your taste buds entertained with different flavors—salty, sweet, and spicy—and different textures, too.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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The sandwich options vary by protein, with choices including Spam, bacon, ham and spicy pork.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Bend corn husks into loops and hot-glue the pointed ends together.—
Emily Williams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Oct. 2025
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Her pointed-toe heels also coordinated with the skirt and jacket combination, executing a wholly monochrome look.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This stylish and practical travertine tray is another one of Barney's go-to picks for organizing clutter while adding texture.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
6 Oct. 2025
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Plus, save on the best carry-on our editors have tested, the Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-on, and a stylish Coach tote that’s currently trending.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Crafted in gold-toned bronze, its coloring is understated and elegant, allowing the designer to work with a more experimental shape.—
Rachel Gallaher,
Robb Report,
4 Oct. 2025
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The Clunie Dining Room For a more elegant affair, there’s The Clunie Dining Room at The Fife Arms.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The characters have this sharp, biting, British humor.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
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There’s Bud the biting cat, played by a feline named Tonic and who deserves a three-picture deal.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Unboxed, these black silicone bands look unassuming, but their simplicity is deceptive.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
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The shuttering of the agency that enforces laws against anticompetitive and deceptive business behavior is one small part of the national gridlock that began on Wednesday and could result in the furlough of 750,000 federal workers and delay air travel.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Google introduced a new Nest smart speaker last week to go alongside its Gemini smart home upgrades and new security cameras.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
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Protection against scams comes from continual education that helps older people develop and sustain their skepticism while also increasing their confidence in their ability to make smart, informed decisions.—
Madhusree Mukerjee,
Scientific American,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The company’s mission is to eliminate design errors and accelerate innovation through intelligent automation.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
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His modernization was both intelligent and beautiful, rooted in Coco’s own starting point — menswear codes and techniques.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sharp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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