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
Repeat this process as needed to return the blades to optimal sharpness.
—
Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
But to have Wesley Fofana, lacking sharpness in his first start for six months, and 19-year-old Jorrel Hato (making his first start since joining from Ajax) play instead of James and Cucurella?
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 22 Sep. 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
The finding was made using an adaptive optics system called MagAO-X, which dramatically improves the sharpness and resolution of telescope images.
—Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Cognitive Longevity and Brain Optimization Mental sharpness is becoming the next luxury currency.
—Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
But to have Wesley Fofana, lacking sharpness in his first start for six months, and 19-year-old Jorrel Hato (making his first start since joining from Ajax) play instead of James and Cucurella?
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 22 Sep. 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
The finding was made using an adaptive optics system called MagAO-X, which dramatically improves the sharpness and resolution of telescope images.
—Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Cognitive Longevity and Brain Optimization Mental sharpness is becoming the next luxury currency.
—Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpness
Noun
-
Delicious and full of flavor, the roast contains brown sugar that balances out the bitterness of the beer, while vinegar adds a hint of brightness.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Additions like maple and honey round out the bitterness and tartness, creating balanced cocktails with depth and finesse.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And in the West, the chill will be accompanied by several inches of snow in the mountains, which will make for some artistic fall foliage photos for leaf-peepers who venture out there.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Chanasya Faux-Fur Throw Blanket Get warm and cozy with this chunky throw blanket that will protect you from the chills and drafts that creep into your home.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The festival also falls during the seventh anniversary of the assassination of Washington Post columnist and Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, which a US intelligence report says happened at the behest of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The office of the director of national intelligence is expected to make an announcement on the Havana Syndrome investigation soon, two sources told the Herald.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Other reasons to seek additional care can include continued irritation, watering, burning, eye pain, mucus discharge, sensitivity to light, reduced vision and any flaking, discharge or sores on the eye or eyelid.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Pose was groundbreaking in many ways, but the FX drama deserves credit for being one of very few shows to depict the HIV-positive experience with sensitivity and a sense of dignity.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Admirers, artists and politicians flocked to the shop, drawn by her beauty, wit and easy charm, according to Smithsonian Magazine.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Over nearly three decades, Baumbach has built a career chronicling families in crisis and artists at the crossroads, his films combining biting wit with an unflinching emotional honesty.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Still, the two main budget bills easily passed both chambers and were sent to the governor before the Senate took up the marijuana tax legislation, taking the bite out of Hall's threat.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
To reduce the risk of mosquito bites and West Nile virus, health officials recommend using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and long pants when outdoors, especially during peak mosquito activity at dawn and dusk.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Throughout the day, as the professor’s thoughts cascade from Dostoyevsky to YouTube fitness influencers, nearly every one of Castro’s acerbic, unfiltered paragraphs contains a bristling insight about literature, weight lifting, or academic politics.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sharpness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpness. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share