sharply
gb/ʃˈɑɹpli/ us/ʃˈɑɹpli/
B1
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
suddenly and intensely
Happening fast and with strong force or effect.
Usage pattern:
[someone] speaks/moves/changes sharply
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sharply' with 'sharply dressed', which refers to appearance, not suddenness or intensity.
Synonyms
abruptly (Focuses more on the suddenness without implying intensity.)
|
briskly (Suggests quickness but often with efficiency rather than severity.)
Antonyms
gradually (Describes something happening slowly over time, opposite of suddenness.)
Collocations
rise sharply
|turn sharply
|increase sharply
|fall sharply
|look sharply
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The car turned sharply to avoid the dog.
- Prices have risen sharply over the past year.
- She spoke sharply to get their attention.
- His mood changed sharply after hearing the news.
- The temperature dropped sharply overnight.
Learner examples
- The bus stopped sharply at the corner.
- He turned sharply to the left.
- The price went up sharply last month.
- She looked at him sharply when he interrupted.
- It got cold sharply in the evening.
adverb
B1
property
2
in a harsh or critical way
Speaking in a way that sounds angry or critical.
Usage pattern:
[someone] speaks sharply to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with physical sharpness, but it refers to tone of voice or manner.
Synonyms
sternly (Implies firm and serious tone without necessarily being angry.)
|
harshly (Emphasizes the rough or severe nature of the words or tone.)
Antonyms
gently (Describes speaking in a soft and kind way, opposite of sharp criticism.)
Collocations
reply sharply
|say sharply
|retort sharply
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- 'That's enough,' she said sharply.
- He was told sharply to mind his own business.
- The teacher spoke sharply to the noisy students.
- She answered the question sharply, clearly annoyed.
- He reacted sharply to the criticism.
Learner examples
- She spoke sharply to her son.
- The teacher said sharply, 'Sit down.'
- He answered her sharply.
- She told him sharply to stop talking.
- He looked at me sharply when I laughed.
adverb
B2
property
3
with clear definition or contrast
Looking very clear and easy to see, with strong lines or differences.
Synonyms
clearly (General clarity without implying contrast.)
|
distinctly (Emphasizes being easy to see or hear.)
Antonyms
blurred (Lacking clear edges or definition.)
Collocations
sharply defined
|sharply focused
|sharply contrasted
Themes
visuals
|description
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The mountain stood out sharply against the blue sky.
- Her features were sharply defined in the light.
- The two styles contrast sharply.
- The outline of the ship appeared sharply on the horizon.
Learner examples
- The building showed sharply against the sky.
- His picture is sharply focused.
- The colors are sharply different.
- The mountains are sharply visible today.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sharply
IPA
GB/ʃˈɑɹpli/
US/ʃˈɑɹpli/
Syllables & stress
sharply (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (sharply)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sharply
- Plural: sharplies
Word family
Expressions
look sharply at
1/lˈʊk ʃˈɑɹpli ˈæt/
fixed phrase
to look quickly and intensely at
To look at someone fast and with strong attention or feeling, often because you are surprised or angry.
Examples
- She looked sharply at him when he interrupted.
- He looked sharply at the child who was misbehaving.
rise sharply
1/ɹˈaɪz ʃˈɑɹpli/
fixed phrase
to increase suddenly and a lot
To go up very fast and by a large amount.
Examples
- Prices have risen sharply this year.
- Unemployment rose sharply after the factory closed.
turn sharply
1/tˈɚn ʃˈɑɹpli/
fixed phrase
to change direction suddenly
To move in another direction very fast and suddenly.
Examples
- The car turned sharply to avoid hitting the cyclist.
- He turned sharply when he heard his name.