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

\/\/ sharp<\/em> enough to spot a confidence game<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'acute' be a reasonable alternative to 'sharp'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms acute<\/em><\/a> and sharp<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but acute<\/em> implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination.<\/p>

\/\/ an acute<\/em> sense of style<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'keen' instead of 'sharp'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words keen<\/em><\/a> and sharp<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, keen<\/em> suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind.<\/p>

\/\/ a keen<\/em> observer of the political scene<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the adjective 'sharp' contrast with its synonyms?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ sharp<\/em> enough to spot a confidence game<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'acute' be a reasonable alternative to 'sharp'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms acute<\/em><\/a> and sharp<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but acute<\/em> implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination.<\/p>

\/\/ an acute<\/em> sense of style<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'keen' instead of 'sharp'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words keen<\/em><\/a> and sharp<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, keen<\/em> suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind.<\/p>

\/\/ a keen<\/em> observer of the political scene<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the adjective 'sharp' contrast with its synonyms?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ sharp<\/em> enough to spot a confidence game<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'acute' be a reasonable alternative to 'sharp'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms acute<\/em><\/a> and sharp<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but acute<\/em> implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination.<\/p>

\/\/ an acute<\/em> sense of style<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'keen' instead of 'sharp'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words keen<\/em><\/a> and sharp<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, keen<\/em> suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind.<\/p>

\/\/ a keen<\/em> observer of the political scene<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the adjective 'sharp' contrast with its synonyms?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ sharp<\/em> enough to spot a confidence game<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'acute' be a reasonable alternative to 'sharp'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms acute<\/em><\/a> and sharp<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but acute<\/em> implies a power to penetrate and may suggest subtlety and sharpness of discrimination.<\/p>

\/\/ an acute<\/em> sense of style<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'keen' instead of 'sharp'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words keen<\/em><\/a> and sharp<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, keen<\/em> suggests quickness, enthusiasm, and a penetrating mind.<\/p>

\/\/ a keen<\/em> observer of the political scene<\/p>" } } ] }

sharp 1 of 4

adjective

ˈshärp How to pronounce sharp (audio)
Definition of sharpnext
1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pointed
tapering to a thin tip tipped with a sharp arrowhead

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in stylish
being in the latest or current fashion wore a sharp suit to his first big job interview

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin I got chapped lips from sailing all day in that sharp wind

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind any sharp student would have noticed the error immediately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences you have sharp eyes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in chilly
uncomfortably cool a spell of unusually sharp weather for this time of year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sharp

2 of 4

adverb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sharp

4 of 4

verb

as in to warble

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

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

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

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

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
CalOptima has about 819,000 members, down 8% from 886,000 in July 2025 when HR 1 became law, and when the organization began to see a sharp decline. —Pat Maio, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026 The saga of Veronica Hegens, a retired Army major, puts in sharp relief the risk of continuing business as usual. —Editorial Board, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Norwegian director Emilie Blichfeldt’s grisly and sharp-toothed Cinderella riff digs into this contemporary moment through its much older political roots. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025 In Game 1, Yesavage didn’t have his go-to pitch, a sharp-dropping splitter, which forced him to use his slider more often than he was used to. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
But surely a guy a sharp as Tenax will see a way to turn this bloodline to his advantage. —Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 18 July 2024 But without savers and gamblers to profit off of, the gains for sharps are limited. —Dylan Matthews, Vox, 25 May 2024
Verb
Thompson was pretty brave for weaving his fingers with Meg's, considering how long and sharp her stiletto manicure is. —Marci Robin, Allure, 17 July 2025 The Wolf & Shepherd Crossover Plain Toe Derby Shoes are $87 off and sharp enough for weddings or work trips. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sharp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharp
  1. spicy
  2. pointed
  3. stylish
  4. elegant
  5. biting
  6. deceptive
  7. smart
  8. intelligent
Adjective
  • The no-frills cuisine is defined by high-quality ingredients, fresh-from-the-ocean seafood, and unusually spicy dishes—by Italian standards, anyway.
    — Jenna Curcio, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The menu also includes 6-piece nuggets (crispy or spicy) and 3-piece tenders, available separately.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of spicy
Adjective
  • The move appears to be a pointed effort to expand the type of immigration enforcement that has become a sticking point in Congress.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Nicola Gratteri, Naples’ chief prosecutor and a long time anti-Mafia magistrate, offered one of the most pointed rebukes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of pointed
Adjective
  • Restaurant by day, stylish club by night.
    — Zacharia Washington, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The technical goals don’t interfere with the home’s stylish design, though.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of stylish
Adjective
  • With its elegant styling, comfortable three-row layout and strong hybrid powertrain, the TX stands as a polished new flagship in Lexus’ SUV lineup.
    — Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Onassis enlisted high society decorator Sister Parish to design the interiors, creating an elegant yet comfortable setting where the young political power couple entertained Washington insiders and journalists.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • Much like the days getting longer and the air less biting, a sure harbinger that spring is coming is the 33rd annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Naperville.
    — Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
  • As the nation bonded as one over the past two weeks biting nails, screaming at wins, wincing at crashes and choking up at all the beautiful moments of Olympic competition, another group of athletes were – and still are – out honing their multi-level championship skills.
    — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Definition of biting
Adjective
  • On March 24, the jury found that Meta had violated the state’s consumer protection law by knowingly engaging in an unfair or deceptive trade practice.
    — Diana Novak Jones, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Admittedly, Palace’s results had been rather deceptive.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • The town is now actively monitoring water use, using smart meters in some cases and on-the-ground enforcement in others.
    — Jamie Leary, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • And logging the vast majority of those runs at a slow pace is a smarter, safer way to achieve that.
    — Jenny McCoy, SELF, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of smart
Adjective
  • And was obviously very talented and very intelligent to do so serious and self-critical work, which was really a breakthrough in this field.
    — Mariel Carr, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Also this week, Blank Street is opening bigger stores, Chipotle has a shockingly intelligent chat bot on its website, and more.
    — Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of intelligent

Browse Nearby Words

sharkskins
sharp
sharped
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Cite this Entry

“Sharp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sharp

Nglish: Translation of sharp for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sharp

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