SHARP Synonyms: 683 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'sharp' contrast with its synonyms?

The words acute and keen are common synonyms of sharp . While all three words mean "having or showing alert competence and clear understanding," sharp implies quick perception, clever resourcefulness, or sometimes questionable trickiness. // sharp enough to spot a confidence game

Q: Where would 'acute' be a reasonable alternative to 'sharp'?

The synonyms acute and sharp are sometimes interchangeable, but acute implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination. // an acute sense of style

Q: When is it sensible to use 'keen' instead of 'sharp'?

The words keen and sharp are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, keen suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind. // a keen observer of the political scene

sharp 1 of 4

adjective

ˈshärp

Definition of sharp next

as in sharpened

having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something be careful, as that knife is sharp enough to slice off a finger

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as in spicy

having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor that cheese is so sharp that its rank aroma can practically clear a room

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as in pointed

tapering to a thin tip tipped with a sharp arrowhead

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as in stylish

being in the latest or current fashion wore a sharp suit to his first big job interview

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as in elegant

being strikingly neat and trim in style or appearance a television personality who's known as a sharp dresser

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as in biting

causing intense discomfort to one's skin I got chapped lips from sailing all day in that sharp wind

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as in deceptive

given to or marked by cheating and deception sharp business practices that are being investigated by the state's consumer protection agency

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as in smart

having or showing a practical cleverness or judgment a sharp customer who wasn't about to be taken in by that smooth-tongued salesman

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as in intelligent

having or showing quickness of mind any sharp student would have noticed the error immediately

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as in sarcastic

marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings an unnecessarily sharp retort to a perfectly civil question

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as in sensitive

able to sense slight impressions or differences you have sharp eyes

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as in chilling

uncomfortably cool a spell of unusually sharp weather for this time of year

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sharp

2 of 4

adverb

as in right

as stated or indicated without the slightest difference be there at four o'clock sharp

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sharp

3 of 4

noun

as in adept

a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field the computer sharp that the rest of the staff turns to whenever their PCs act up

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sharp

4 of 4

verb

as in to warble

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How does the adjective sharp contrast with its synonyms?

The words acute and keen are common synonyms of sharp. While all three words mean "having or showing alert competence and clear understanding," sharp implies quick perception, clever resourcefulness, or sometimes questionable trickiness.

sharp enough to spot a confidence game

Where would acute be a reasonable alternative to sharp?

The synonyms acute and sharp are sometimes interchangeable, but acute implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination.

an acute sense of style

When is it sensible to use keen instead of sharp?

The words keen and sharp are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, keen suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind.

a keen observer of the political scene

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 sharp

Adjective

The film lurches toward what could’ve been a great ending, the crisis of mother and daughter finally snapping into sharp and life-threatening focus, but instead leaves us hanging in the middle of the last sentence. —

Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 Feb. 2025 This leads to a sharp and humid love triangle, in which Roisin must deal with her own warmth toward Echo while watching Kosta fall for her, until the plot crests through a breathtaking act of betrayal. —

Haley Mlotek, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025

Adverb

In 2021, prior to BTS temporarily splitting off into individual sectors while some members pursue solo projects and others complete their mandatory military service, Jung Kook spoke to Rolling Stone about keeping his skillset sharp across the board. —

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2023 The 27-year-old didn’t come out sharp, allowing three hits, including an RBI single to Royce Lewis, in a 27-pitch first inning. —

Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2023

Noun

Liquids, needles or sharps cannot be accepted — only pills or patches. —

Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024 But a reminder — the sharps were on the Eagles last year. —

Jason Abbruzzese, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024

Verb

That could require Republicans to identify even steeper reductions, perhaps totaling $16 trillion, in a move that could expose the party to sharp political attacks. —

Tony Romm, Jeff Stein and Marianna Sotomayor, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Mar. 2023 Investors are reassessing their outlook for economic growth amid these massive policy risks, leading to sharp down and up movements in stock markets. —

Christian Weller, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for sharp

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharp

Adjective

Some perfumes smell pink and rosy, others are amber-hued and spicy, and some smell fresh and verdant—like a whiff of pale green.

— Jenny Berg, Allure, 8 Feb. 2025
Rye whiskey is the drier and spicier cousin of bourbon with an herbaceous edge, an edge which (as with the Sazerac, La Louisiane and others) is given a few dozen exclamation points with a dash of absinthe.

— Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2025

Definition of spicy

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“Sharp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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Last Updated: 21 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of sharp

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