Standard Lemma guide

sharply

adv · 16 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • General-American: /ˈʃɑɹpli/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈʃɑːpli/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: SH AA1 R P L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a sharp manner, in various senses.

So as to terminate in a sharp point or edge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The stick was sharply tapered at one end.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

In a sharp manner, in various senses.

Rapidly, abruptly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • When I touched the snake it recoiled sharply.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adv

Meaning 3

In a sharp manner, in various senses.

Suddenly and intensely like a gasp, but typically as the result of an emotional reaction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: to describe breathing

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adv

Meaning 4

In a sharp manner, in various senses.

Precisely, accurately.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • a sharply focused essay

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

adv

Meaning 5

In a sharp manner, in various senses.

Quickly and alertly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Jones, the centre forward, started the game sharply.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

adv

Meaning 6

In a sharp manner, in various senses.

Of speech, sternly, harshly or critically.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • When I asked her about her husband, she replied sharply that she had not seen him for several months.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

adv

Meaning 7

In a sharp manner, in various senses.

Stylishly, smartly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He was sharply dressed in an expensive suit.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

adv

Meaning 8

In a sharp manner, in various senses.

So as to form a sharp, or tight, angle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Turn sharply to the right.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

adv

Meaning 9

In a sharp manner, in various senses.

Steeply; precipitously.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The road descends sharply.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

10

adv

Meaning 10

In a sharp manner, in various senses.

Piercingly; keenly; severely; painfully.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • His old war wound twinged sharply.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

11

adv

Meaning 11

In a sharp manner, in various senses.

In an intellectually alert and penetrating manner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

12

adv

Meaning 12

In a sharp manner, in various senses.

In a strongly distinguishing or differentiating manner; acutely.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The wealth of this small country contrasts sharply with that of its neighbours.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

13

adverb

Meaning 13

in an aggressive manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • she was being sharply questioned

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: aggressively

Antonyms: none provided

14

adverb

Meaning 14

in a well delineated manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the new style of Minoan pottery was sharply defined

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: crisply

Antonyms: none provided

15

adverb

Meaning 15

very suddenly and to a great degree

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • conditions that precipitously increase the birthrate
  • prices rose sharply

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: precipitously

Antonyms: none provided

16

adverb

Meaning 16

changing suddenly in direction and degree

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the road twists sharply after the light
  • turn sharp left here
  • the visor was acutely peaked
  • her shoes had acutely pointed toes

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: sharp, acutely

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Middle English sharply, scharply, from Old English sċearplīċe (“sharply, smartly”), equivalent to sharp + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: остро (ostro) — in a sharp manner
  • Bulgarian: рязко (rjazko) — in a sharp manner
  • Czech: ostře — in a sharp manner
  • Esperanto: akre — in a sharp manner
  • Finnish: terävästi — in a sharp manner
  • Finnish: kirpeästi — in a sharp manner
  • Finnish: pistävästi — in a sharp manner
  • Hungarian: élesen — in a sharp manner
  • Latin: ācriter — in a sharp manner
  • Norwegian Bokmål: skarpt — in a sharp manner
  • Russian: ре́зко (rézko) — in a sharp manner