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   Sharp

   /SHärp/

   

   adjective

   • 1. (of an object) having an edge or point that is able to cut or pierce something: "cut the cake with a very sharp knife" Similar keensharp-edgedrazor-sharprazor-edgedsharpenedhonedwhettedserratedknife-likecuttingedgedrare:acuteOpposite blunt
   • ▪ tapering to a point or edge: "a sharp pencil" Similar pointedtaperingtaperedneedle-likespikyinformal:pointytechnical:acicularlanceolateacuminatesubulatemucronateaculeaterare:cuspidatecuspedconoidOpposite rounded
   • 2. producing a sudden, piercing physical sensation or effect: "I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my back" Similar excruciatingagonizingintenseviolentpiercingstabbingshootingstingingsevereacutekeenfiercesearingexquisite
   • ▪ (of a food, taste, or smell) acidic and intense: "sharp goats' milk cheese" Similar tangypiquantstrongacidicacidacidysourtartvinegarypungentbitteracerbrare:acidulousaceticacetousacridburningpungentOpposite mildmellowblandsweet
   • ▪ (of a sound) sudden and penetrating: "there was a sharp crack of thunder" Similar loudpiercingshrillhigh-pitchedhighpenetratingharshstridentear-splittingdeafeningthunderousboominghead-splittingOpposite quietsoft
   • ▪ (of words or a speaker) intended or intending to criticize or hurt: "she feared his sharp tongue" Similar harshbitterhardcuttingscathingcausticbitingbarbedtrenchantmordantacrimoniousacerbictartacidsarcasticsardonicill-temperedspitefulvenomousmaliciousvitriolicvicioushurtfulnastyunkindseverecruelwoundingabusivecurtbrusqueabrasiveacerbinformal:bitchycattyrare:mordaciousacidulousOpposite kindamicable
   • ▪ (of an emotion or experience) felt acutely or intensely; painful: "her sharp disappointment was tinged with embarrassment" Similar intenseacutekeenstrongbitterfiercesearingpiercingheartfeltvery greatoverpowering
   • 3. distinct in outline or detail; clearly defined: "the job was a sharp contrast from her past life" Similar distinctclear-cutclearwell definedwell focusedcrispstarkobviousmarkeddefinitepronouncedevidentmanifestOpposite blurredindistinct
   • ▪ (of clothes or their wearer) neat and stylish: informal "they were greeted by a young man in a sharp suit" Similar smartstylishfashionablechicmodishelegantspruceinformal:trendycoolsnazzyclassyflashsnappynattyniftydressykickingkickytonyflyspiffysassystylin'archaic:trigOpposite shabbyscruffy
   • 4. (of an action or change) sudden and marked: "there was a sharp increase in interest rates" Similar suddenabruptrapidsteepprecipitousprecipitateOpposite gradual
   • ▪ (of a bend, angle, or turn) making a sudden change of direction: "a sharp turn in the river" Similar hairpintightangular
   • 5. having or showing speed of perception, comprehension, or response: "her sharp eyes missed nothing" Similar keenperceptiveobservantacutesharp-sightedbeadyhawklikeperceptivediscerningpercipientperspicaciouspenetrativepiercingpenetratingdiscriminatingsensitiveincisivekeenkeen-wittedacutesharp-wittedquickquick-wittedclevershrewdastuteintelligentintuitivebrightagilenimblenimble-wittedalertquick off the markreadyaptfinefinely honedrapierlikeprobingsearchinginsightfulknowinginformal:smarton the ballquick on the uptakenot missing a tricksavvywith all one's wits about onedownygeniussussknowing how many beans make fivepawkycuteheads-upwhip-smartrare:long-headedarguteOpposite weakslowdullstupid
   • ▪ quick to take advantage, especially in an unscrupulous or dishonest way: "Paul's a sharp operator" Similar clevershrewdcannysmartcunningwilycraftyartfulguilefulunscrupulousdishonestinformal:slickflyOpposite naiveingenuous
   • 6. (of musical sound) above true or normal pitch.
   • ▪ (of a note) a semitone higher than a specified note: "the song sits on E and F-sharp"
   • ▪ (of a key) having a sharp or sharps in the key signature: "recorder players are most comfortable in sharp keys"

   adverb

   • 1. precisely (used after an expression of time): "the meeting starts at 7:30 sharp" Similar preciselyexactlyon the dotpromptlypromptpunctuallydead onon the stroke of …informal:on the buttonon the noseon the knockerOpposite approximatelyroughly
   • 2. in a sudden or abrupt way: "he was brought up sharp by Helen's voice" Similar abruptlysuddenlysharplyall of a suddenunexpectedlywithout warning
   • 3. above the true or normal pitch of musical sound: "he heard him playing a little sharp on the high notes"

   noun

   • 1. a musical note raised a semitone above natural pitch.
   • ▪ the sign ♯, indicating a sharp.
   • 2. a long, sharply pointed needle used for general sewing.
   • ▪ a thing with a sharp edge or point, such as a hypodermic needle, a blade, or a fragment of glass: "the safe disposal of sharps and clinical waste"
   • 3. a swindler or cheat. informal

   verb

   • 1. raise the pitch of (a note) by a semitone: US "if you raise a note by one fret, you have sharped the note"
   • 2. cheat or swindle (someone), especially at cards: archaic "the fellow is drunk, let's sharp him"

   Word Origin Old Englishsc(e)arp, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch scherp and German scharf.

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • S

     1

   • H

     4

   • A

     1

   • R

     1

   • P

     3

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