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
Relevance
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
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 sharpness
The onion’s bite and the capers’ briny sharpness balance the richness of the purée.
—
Katherine Whittaker, Saveur, 9 Oct. 2025
The idea is that wearing an eye patch helps develop depth perception and the sharpness of the dominant eye (the one a person’s brain relies on more for processing information).
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
The sharpness of the blades gets pointed out in almost every review.
—Clint Davis, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
The cilantro is key because its chlorophyllic sharpness slaps the stupor out of the starchy beans.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025
Human perception is assessed with psychoacoustic metrics like loudness and sharpness, measured using binaural artificial heads that replicate ear placement.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
The laptop's standard 1600p screen is its standout feature, displaying superior detail and sharpness to the full HD panels often found in this price bracket.
—Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
If the Padres were to make a deep run, the abundance of open dates in the postseason, in theory, would allow their cadre of high-velocity relievers to maintain both sharpness and heat that ranges from 98 to 104 mph.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
This test measures the sharpness or clarity of your vision at different distances.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Katherine Whittaker, Saveur, 9 Oct. 2025
The idea is that wearing an eye patch helps develop depth perception and the sharpness of the dominant eye (the one a person’s brain relies on more for processing information).
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
The sharpness of the blades gets pointed out in almost every review.
—Clint Davis, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
The cilantro is key because its chlorophyllic sharpness slaps the stupor out of the starchy beans.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025
Human perception is assessed with psychoacoustic metrics like loudness and sharpness, measured using binaural artificial heads that replicate ear placement.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
The laptop's standard 1600p screen is its standout feature, displaying superior detail and sharpness to the full HD panels often found in this price bracket.
—Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
If the Padres were to make a deep run, the abundance of open dates in the postseason, in theory, would allow their cadre of high-velocity relievers to maintain both sharpness and heat that ranges from 98 to 104 mph.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
This test measures the sharpness or clarity of your vision at different distances.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpness
Noun
-
There was no jealousy, no bitterness.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Perhaps the bitterness refers to the alimony check?—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Wrap and chill until dough is easy to handle, 1 to 2 hours.—
Staff Author,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Eye irritation or redness, fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting or rash.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Civilians working in cybersecurity, medical care, weapons systems maintenance, intelligence, and logistics are still working and are not included in Trump’s order to pay active-duty personnel.—
Terry Moseley,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
-
An Israeli official told CNN that Israel has shared information, based on its intelligence, on the location of some of the bodies of deceased hostages in Gaza.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Both requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Millions of Americans experience food sensitivities or allergies every year.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Jayden Fraser added a two-point rush, giving his team an 8-7 edge at intermission.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
-
In the Senate, Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) attempted to move forward with a vote on a full-year Defense appropriations bill on Thursday to gain some favor with Senate Democrats on the edge about the shutdown.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Across almost 20 novels, the British author spun fantastical tales with unsentimental wit, infusing his work with darkly morbid humor, blithe child endangerment, rotten and antagonistic adults, and a willingness to occasionally laugh at the misfortune of others.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Niehuus, an entertainmen lawyer by training but someone with a wicked wit, succeeds Bernd Neumann, an esteemed former minister of culture in the German government, who has stepped down.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While the angel gets a little jaded having to work a kitchen job and develops a smoking habit, there are moments of sheer joy as Gabriel hits a dance floor and bites into a juicy burger for the first time.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Covered with ants and bleeding from what doctors would later suspect were animal bites, the pig farmer had just made a terrifying discovery near a river in this north Indian village.—
Aishwarya S. Iyer,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This is the web version of CEO Daily, a newsletter of must-read global insights from CEOs and industry leaders.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
-
That breadth of insight and analysis extends from the on-court Xs and Os to team dynamics and development.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sharpness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpness. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share