🔪 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

7 3.2

Suddenly and quickly in a new direction

adverb
/ʃɑrp/

: bruscamente

We need to make a sharp turn to avoid hitting the curb.

Examples

The company's profits took a sharp increase after the new product launch.
But I I guess it's weird that we've gotten this far as a species and now we want to take, like, sharp, sharp turns.
She made a sharp comeback to the unexpected criticism.

Synonyms

sudden

vssharp

∞ 1.0

Happening quickly and without warning

is used mainly for changes in direction or degree

steep

vssharp

148 2.5

Having a very sharp slope or almost vertical angle

describes quick directional or degree change rather than slope or angle

drastic

vssharp

112 5.1

Causing a very big or serious change

emphasizes quick directional or degree change rather than severity

abrupt

vssharp

46 4.6

Happening suddenly without warning

is used especially for changes in direction or degree

Antonyms

steady

327 2.0

Not changing over time and remaining the same

gradual

71 3.0

Happening slowly and steadily, not suddenly

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 Abrupt

sharp

7 3.2

abrupt

46 4.6

sudden

∞ 1.0

moderate

310 3.3

gradual

71 3.0

Surface Forms

sharp positive

sharply positive

Etymology

Sharp as an adverb for a sudden turn comes from the idea of a quick, edged change, so to turn sharp is to change direction suddenly like hitting an edge.