adv

sharply

SHAHP-lee

adv

Suddenly and abruptly.

"The car turned sharply to avoid the pothole."

"Sales dropped sharply after the price increase."

In a harsh, stern, or critical way.

"She spoke sharply to the children who were misbehaving."

How to Use Sharply

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSuddenly and intensely, or in a harsh/critical tone.

Common pairings

rise sharply fall sharply speak sharply turn sharply

sharplier comparative, more sharply comparative, sharpliest superlative, most sharply superlative

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The car turned _____ to avoid the pothole.

From Old English sċearplīċe, "sharply, smartly," from sharp plus -ly.