sharply

adverb

Definition of sharplynext
as in neatly
in a strikingly neat and trim manner sharply dressed groomsmen at a formal wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 sharply In recent weeks, new cases and deaths have declined in Ituri province, the outbreak's epicenter, but risen sharply in neighboring North Kivu and Haut-Uele, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said at a weekly briefing. — Jean-Yves Kamale, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026 The defense's account differs sharply from prosecutors' allegations. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 As the price of copper has rallied sharply, traders, hedge funds and other speculators tend to pile into the market to try and make a profit, Meir said. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 The country has been hit hard by Iranian strikes and hasn’t exported much oil since March, but earnings growth rose sharply, reflecting a lower base and one-off gains in banking and telecoms rather than broader economic strength. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Before the division rivals meet Friday morning at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 49ers and Rams have followed two sharply different approaches to sleep, travel and performance. — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2026 The 2023 ruling sharply limited the federal government’s authority over water pollution in certain wetlands. — Matthew Daly, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Contrastingly, Archer looked for swing, bowling sharply but not express. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 That could be important in neighborhoods where demand rises sharply when residents return home and switch on appliances, heating or cooling systems. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharply
  1. neatly
  2. smartly
  3. carefully
Adverb
  • The woman’s head of auburn curls, so neatly assembled and without a hair out of place, was flung to the side and her cheek, powdered with rouge, was now as red as a sunset.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Looking at his pizza chart from last season, Mbaye’s low cross volume (five out of 99) but high link-up play (86 out of 99) suggest an inside forward who prefers to combine neatly with team-mates before attacking the box.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of neatly
Adverb
  • The Gallaghers, known for their love of windbreakers and Fred Perry polos, dressed smartly for the occasion in all black (though still decidedly unfancy, with Liam layering a T-shirt underneath a blazer and Noel wearing a zip-up jacket).
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Still, the game smartly kicks off with a quick rundown of what went down in the first Isolation, narrated by Ripley, who was responsible for the destruction of the infested Sevastopol station.
    — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of smartly
Adverb
  • Reddington also pushed back on one of the prosecution's central arguments that Lindsay Clancy carefully planned the killings by sending Patrick Clancy out on errands.
    — Lorraine Taylor , Bryan Llenas, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Officials tread carefully in regulating car caravans, which can overwhelm traffic and bring streets to a standstill.
    — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of carefully

Browse Nearby Words

sharping
sharply
sharpness
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Cite this Entry

“Sharply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharply. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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