🔪 Able to cut 🧠 Quick to notice 💬 Harsh or biting 📈 Sudden or steep ⏰ Exactly on time 🔍 Clearly defined ⚡ Intense feeling 🔊 High-pitched sound 🎵 Higher in pitch ↩️ Sudden change ♯ Music sign

sharp

84 2.0

A sudden large change in amount or level

adjective
/ʃɑrp/

: brusco

A stable growth path also implies an absence of sharp inflationary or deflationary pressures.
a sharp decline
a sharp turn
a sharp increase

Halfway in there is this curve, this really sharp curve, dead man's curve.

Autoplay Next

Examples

The result was a sharp turnaround on questions of race as well as economic regulation.

Academic text (2017)
After the unexpected news, the company experienced a sharp rise in stock prices.
This was mostly caused by a sharp drop in energy exports.

Patrick Boyle
In the next couple of years, you can expect a fairly sharp decline.

Absolution (2024)
The most evident effect of the change is a sharp decline in the value of natural resources.

Academic text (1991)
Any of these would cause huge, sharp spikes in costs.
The major cause of the panic was a sharp but temporary downturn in agricultural exports to Britain.

Academic text (2013)
The report showed a sharp increase in sales over the holiday season.
There was a sharp turn in the weather, leading to heavy snowfall overnight.

Synonyms

sudden

vssharp

∞ 1.0

Happening quickly and without warning

adds great intensity or steepness, not only quick timing

steep

vssharp

148 2.5

Having a very sharp slope or almost vertical angle

focuses on suddenness or intensity rather than a physical slope

precipitous

vssharp

3 7.7

A very steep slope like a cliff that is dangerous to climb

means the same steep idea but with less emphasis on extreme danger

abrupt

vssharp

1 4.7

A very steep slope or drop that is often dangerous

is broader and applies to sudden or intense events beyond slopes

Antonyms

gradual

71 3.0

Happening slowly and steadily, not suddenly

gentle

5 1.0

Not steep and rising slowly

Idioms

sharp as a tack

Informal

5 6.7

Able to understand new things very quickly

three o'clock sharp

1 1.4

Exactly at three o'clock

sharp as a bowling ball

Offensive

1 9.3

A person who is not smart and is slow to understand things

a poke in the eye with a sharp stick

Informal

1 9.9

A joking way to say something is very unpleasant or painful

as sharp as a butter knife

Offensive

1 7.5

Fails to make a strong point because it is dull and weak

as sharp as a razor-blade

5.0

Very clear and exact so there is no doubt

Compounds

razor-sharp

18 4.1

Able to cut very easily with a thin hard edge, like a knife

sharp teeth

18 2.5

Pointed teeth that cut or pierce food, for example in sharks

sharp pain

15 3.3

A sudden strong feeling of hurt in one small part of the body

sharp-eyed

14 4.1

Able to see small things and notice small changes quickly

sharp mind

8 3.8

A quick, clear way of thinking that helps solve problems

sharp tongue

7 6.1

A habit of speaking in a harsh, critical way

sharp wit

4 4.1

To make quick, clever, funny comments that amuse people

razor-sharp

3 4.2

Very clear and exact so you can see every small detail

sharp end

3 6.0

The pointed, dangerous part of a thing or the most risky part of a situation

sharp-worded

2 7.1

Saying harsh words to criticize someone or something

sharp suit

2 3.3

A neat, stylish outfit that fits the body well

sharp-cornered

2 4.4

A thing with pointed corners like a table or shelf that can hurt you

sharp cookie

Informal

1 5.6

A clever person who understands things quickly

sharp-nosed

1 4.7

With a pointed nose or front, for example a plane

card sharp

Informal

1 9.3

A person who cheats at card games to win money

sharp-elbowed

1 8.1

Someone who acts in a pushy way to get ahead and promote their own interests

sharp sting

1 3.2

A sudden, strong, short pain like a small prick

sharp-toothed

1 4.0

Having sharp, pointed teeth like a shark

sharp-tasting

1 3.9

A strong, slightly sour taste like in aged cheese or salad dressing

sharp-sighted

1 4.6

Able to see small things very clearly

sharp-sighted

1 5.2

Quick to notice and understand small details

sharp-tailed grouse

1 9.5

A large land bird with pointed tail feathers found in western prairies and open forests

sharp-eared

1 4.9

Able to hear very quiet sounds

sharp joke

1 3.4

A clever joke that can sting someone's feelings

sharp end of the stick

1 7.2

The pointed end of a stick that can cut or poke

sharp riposte

1 8.2

A quick clever reply that answers an insult or criticism

double sharp

Specialized

1 9.1

A sign that tells you to play a note two piano keys higher

sharp-edged comment

Offensive

6.6

A remark that is harsh and meant to hurt someone's feelings

sharp-sightedness

6.6

The ability to see small details clearly with the eyes

sharp-sightedness

6.8

The ability to notice small details by paying attention

How Sudden

instant

277 2.0

sharp

84 2.0

sudden

∞ 1.0

noticeable

65 3.2

Surface Forms

sharp positive

sharper comparative

sharpest superlative

Etymology

Sharp comes from the idea of a sudden 'edge' or 'cut', like the edge of a cliff or a knife, so a sharp rise or fall is a quick, steep change.