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sharp

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

adjective

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Synonyms & Antonyms of sharp

(Entry 1 of 4)

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 for sharp

Words Related to sharp

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rounded,
smooth

soft

Antonyms for sharp

2 having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor

that cheese is so sharp that its rank aroma can practically clear a room

Synonyms for sharp

Words Related to sharp

acid,
acidic

acute,
keen

aromatic,
redolent

Near Antonyms for sharp

gentle,
soft

Antonyms for sharp

3 tapering to a thin tip

tipped with a sharp arrowhead

Synonyms for sharp

Words Related to sharp

needlelike,
spiny

Near Antonyms for sharp

dull,
rounded

Antonyms for sharp

blunt

4 being in the latest or current fashion

wore a sharp suit to his first big job interview

Synonyms for sharp

Words Related to sharp

Near Antonyms for sharp

shabby,
sleazy

Antonyms for sharp

5 being strikingly neat and trim in style or appearance

a television personality who's known as a sharp dresser

Synonyms for sharp

Words Related to sharp

orderly,
tidy

combed,
groomed

Near Antonyms for sharp

shabby,
sleazy

Antonyms for sharp

6 causing intense discomfort to one's skin

I got chapped lips from sailing all day in that sharp wind

Synonyms for sharp

Words Related to sharp

caustic,
corrosive

Near Antonyms for sharp

7 given to or marked by cheating and deception

sharp business practices that are being investigated by the state's consumer protection agency

Synonyms for sharp

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Antonyms for sharp

8 having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment

a sharp customer who wasn't about to be taken in by that smooth-tongued salesman

Synonyms for sharp

Words Related to sharp

artful,
cagey
(also cagy),
crafty,
cunning,
devious,
dodgy
[chiefly British],
foxy,
guileful,
pawky
[chiefly British],
slick,
sly,
subtle,
tricky,
wily

Near Antonyms for sharp

Antonyms for sharp

unknowing

9 having or showing quickness of mind

any sharp student would have noticed the error immediately

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Antonyms for sharp

10 marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings

an unnecessarily sharp retort to a perfectly civil question

Synonyms for sharp

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Near Antonyms for sharp

gentle,
mild

bland

11 able to sense slight impressions or differences

you have sharp eyes

Synonyms for sharp

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12 uncomfortably cool

a spell of unusually sharp weather for this time of year

Synonyms for sharp

Words Related to sharp

Near Antonyms for sharp

balmy,
warm

lukewarm,
tepid

heated,
warmed

sharp

adverb

Synonyms of sharp (Entry 2 of 4)

as stated or indicated without the slightest difference

be there at four o'clock sharp

Synonyms for sharp

Phrases Synonymous with sharp

sharp

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of sharp (Entry 3 of 4)

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

Synonyms for sharp

ace,
adept,
artist,
authority,
cognoscente,
connoisseur,
crackerjack
(also crackajack),
dab
[chiefly British],
dab hand
[chiefly British],
expert,
fiend,
geek,
guru,
hand,
hotshot,
maestro,
master,
maven
(also mavin),
meister,
past master,
proficient,
scholar,
shark,
virtuoso,
whiz,
wizard

Words Related to sharp

pro,
professional

mistress

Near Antonyms for sharp

dabbler,
dilettante

Antonyms for sharp

sharp

verb

Synonyms of sharp (Entry 4 of 4)

as in hum, croon

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for sharp

serenade

Frequently Asked Questions About sharp

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