sharply

From Middle English sharply, scharply, from Old English sċearplīċe (“sharply, smartly”), equivalent to sharp +‎ -ly.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ʃɑɹpli/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ʃɑːpli/

• Audio (US):

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sharply (comparative sharplier or more sharply, superlative sharpliest or most sharply)

1. In a sharp manner, in various senses.
   1. So as to terminate in a sharp point or edge.

      The stick was sharply tapered at one end.

   2. Rapidly, abruptly.

      When I touched the snake it recoiled sharply.

      • 2013 June 18, Simon Romero, “Protests Widen as Brazilians Chide Leaders”, in New York Times, retrieved 21 June 2013:

        The economy has slowed to a pale shadow of its growth in recent years; inflation is high, the currency is declining sharply against the dollar — but the expectations of Brazilians have rarely been higher, feeding broad intolerance with corruption, bad schools and other government failings.

   3. (to describe breathing) Suddenly and intensely like a gasp, but typically as the result of an emotional reaction.
   4. Precisely, accurately.

      a sharply focused essay

   5. Quickly and alertly.

      Jones, the centre forward, started the game sharply.

      • 2011 November 11, Rory Houston, “Estonia 0-4 Republic of Ireland”, in RTE Sport‎^[1]:

        Walters tried a long range shot in the third minute as he opened the game sharply, linking well with Robbie Keane, but goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko gathered the ball with ease.

   6. Of speech, sternly, harshly or critically.

      When I asked her about her husband, she replied sharply that she had not seen him for several months.

      • 1956 [1880], Johanna Spyri, Heidi, translation of original by Eileen Hall, page 99:

        Before long Tinette stuck her head round the door, and said sharply, 'You're to go to the study.'

   7. Stylishly, smartly.

      He was sharply dressed in an expensive suit.

   8. So as to form a sharp, or tight, angle.

      Turn sharply to the right.

   9. Steeply; precipitously.

      The road descends sharply.

   10. Piercingly; keenly; severely; painfully.

       His old war wound twinged sharply.

   11. In an intellectually alert and penetrating manner.
       • 1921, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:

         Peter, after the manner of man at the breakfast table, had allowed half his kedgeree to get cold and was sniggering over a letter. Sophia looked at him sharply. The only letter she had received was from her mother. Sophia's mother was not a humourist.

   12. In a strongly distinguishing or differentiating manner; acutely.

       The wealth of this small country contrasts sharply with that of its neighbours.

       • 2023 November 15, Paul Clifton, “Early responses to Scottish fares trial”, in RAIL, number 996, pages 44-45:

         Hynes is careful to direct the credit to his paymasters in the Scottish Government, whose ambitions for rail contrast increasingly sharply with those in Westminster.