as in neatly
in a strikingly neat and trim manner
sharply dressed groomsmen at a formal wedding
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Recent Examples of sharply
The Vatican’s 2023 declaration allowing an informal blessing, promulgated with virtually no consultation outside the Vatican, sharply divided the church, with African bishops delivering a continent-wide dissent and refusing to implement it.
—
Nicole Winfield, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Acting Director Nick Anderson testified that staffing has dropped to roughly 40%, sharply limiting the agency's ability to monitor threats and conduct outreach.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Homebuilder sentiment in April, the heart of the spring housing market, dropped sharply, according to a monthly index from the National Association of Home Builders.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
But in the hours before the pope took off for Africa on April 13, the US president sharply criticized the pope.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Shares ran up prior to the earnings report but then dropped sharply after second-quarter guidance disappointed and co-founder Reed Hastings announced his departure from the company’s board of directors.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Jared Mast, president of Mast Wealth Management Group, which deals in alternative investments including collectibles like Pokémon cards, told ABC News the value of Pokémon cards has risen sharply over the past year.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
California’s gas prices are the highest in the country and have risen sharply since the onset of the war with Iran.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
The condiments getting reached for are hot sauce, chili crisp, gochujang, Japanese BBQ sauce and kimchi, all trending sharply.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
Nicole Winfield, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Acting Director Nick Anderson testified that staffing has dropped to roughly 40%, sharply limiting the agency's ability to monitor threats and conduct outreach.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Homebuilder sentiment in April, the heart of the spring housing market, dropped sharply, according to a monthly index from the National Association of Home Builders.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
But in the hours before the pope took off for Africa on April 13, the US president sharply criticized the pope.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Shares ran up prior to the earnings report but then dropped sharply after second-quarter guidance disappointed and co-founder Reed Hastings announced his departure from the company’s board of directors.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Jared Mast, president of Mast Wealth Management Group, which deals in alternative investments including collectibles like Pokémon cards, told ABC News the value of Pokémon cards has risen sharply over the past year.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
California’s gas prices are the highest in the country and have risen sharply since the onset of the war with Iran.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
The condiments getting reached for are hot sauce, chili crisp, gochujang, Japanese BBQ sauce and kimchi, all trending sharply.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharply
Adverb
-
The National Park Service studied the American Discovery Trail in the mid-’90s and acknowledged that the American Discovery Trail doesn’t fit neatly into any of the existing categories outlined in the National Trails System Act, Mercurio said.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Best of all, the Tony nominee smartly resists overplaying the joke, grounding the part enough that Brad's unraveling becomes funnier.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The spaces feel lighter, fresher, more finely detailed, and the property has been smartly reorganized.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Brickner didn’t say yes or no to further withdrawals, but said the money must be handled very carefully.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
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An artist observes carefully, especially things that go unnoticed — and transforms these observations into meaningful expressions.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sharply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharply. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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