1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
he found that the bland crackers helped cut the sharpness of the cheese
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness
dress warmly; there's a bit of sharpness in the air today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intelligence
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters
possesses a political sharpness that most campaign managers would envy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sensitivity
the state or quality of being able to sense slight impressions or differences
possesses the proverbial sharpness of an eagle's eye
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sharpness
With the peloton still searching for race sharpness, this is usually an attritional race, filled with crashes and mechanicals.
—
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
The addition of mustard greens and a few slips of chili oil provide a sharpness to the beefy bonanza.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Forward Matt Duchene credited the team’s sharpness after a long break to good practice going into the game with Seattle.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
Xander Schauffele showed more strides toward sharpness with a 65 that left him three shots behind, along with two-time Riviera winner Adam Scott, who had the low round of the day at 63.
—ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
Repeat this process as needed to return the blades to optimal sharpness.
—Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
And Margot Robbie gives the character a sharpness, an agency that’s a relief from the wilting Catherines of yore — which actually makes her ultimate gruesome fate feel that much more tragic.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Where the sharpness and definition can fade as viewers pull back projectors for super large screenings, AWOL Vision hit CES 2026 with a new model aimed at nipping that in the bud.
—New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026
Maison Estelle’s sharpness comes from its Cotswolds outpost.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
The addition of mustard greens and a few slips of chili oil provide a sharpness to the beefy bonanza.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Forward Matt Duchene credited the team’s sharpness after a long break to good practice going into the game with Seattle.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
Xander Schauffele showed more strides toward sharpness with a 65 that left him three shots behind, along with two-time Riviera winner Adam Scott, who had the low round of the day at 63.
—ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
Repeat this process as needed to return the blades to optimal sharpness.
—Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
And Margot Robbie gives the character a sharpness, an agency that’s a relief from the wilting Catherines of yore — which actually makes her ultimate gruesome fate feel that much more tragic.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Where the sharpness and definition can fade as viewers pull back projectors for super large screenings, AWOL Vision hit CES 2026 with a new model aimed at nipping that in the bud.
—New Atlas, 10 Feb. 2026
Maison Estelle’s sharpness comes from its Cotswolds outpost.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpness
Noun
-
As excited as Celebrini was to be back in San Jose, there was still some bitterness as to how the Olympic tournament ended.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Matcha provides the color and gives it a slight yet pleasant green-tea bitterness.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The escalating conflict has sent a chill through military communities across California, which is home to more than 157,000 active-duty military personnel — more than any other state.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Until that first little later afternoon chill comes with the drop of the sun.—
Alexandra Pereira,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Shipping intelligence data provider Kpler estimates around 12 million barrels of crude oil to have passed through the strait since the war started.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
During the 1980s Iran-Iraq War, the United States actively supported Saddam Hussein — providing intelligence and diplomatic cover even as Iraq deployed chemical weapons against Iranian soldiers and civilians.—
Letters to the Editor,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Adding to the turbulence is Korea's sensitivity to energy prices.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Shaynak was impressed with the sensitivity of Sachs’s final script.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The texture is a bit sticky, though blends out with ease for soft edges and a natural finish.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Gavalas was a normal guy, Edelson said – a golfer, a funny person with a sarcastic wit, a video gamer.—
Brittany Wallman
Updated March 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The trailer opens with Hal jumping out of a moving car, leaving John flying off a cliff, relying on his quick wits and Green Lantern powers to save himself.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The four-piece set—a loveseat, two chairs, and a matching table—comfortably seats up to four, providing a perfect spot for small bites and drinks.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Wisconsin Watch is a member of the Gigafact program, newsrooms across the US that deliver bite-sized fact checks of trending claims.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Inside, cabinets are crammed with Happy Meal toys from around the globe, offering surprising insights into regional preferences and pop culture trends.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Next, the team wants to use digital reconstruction methods to correct deformation on other parts of the skull, such as the braincase, to reveal insights about the brain size of Little Foot — and potentially unlock clues about the cognitive abilities of our early human ancestors.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sharpness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpness. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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