sharply

Adverb

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

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.
   • 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.2013 June 18, Simon Romero, “Protests Widen as Brazilians Chide Leaders”, in New York Times, retrieved 21 Jun 2013
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.
   • 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.2011 November 11, Rory Houston, “Estonia 0-4 Republic of Ireland”, in RTE Sport
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.
   • Before long Tinette stuck her head round the door, and said sharply, 'You're to go to the study.'1956 [1880], Johanna Spyri, Heidi, translation of original by Eileen Hall, page 99
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.
   • The last 61 miles of the journey, from Kongsberg to Oslo, are through much less mountainous country. The railway curves sharply away from the Lågan^([sic]), and descends steadily, and in places steeply, past the head of Lake Fiskerumvatn to Hokksund, where the connecting line to the Bergen-Oslo...1956 April, H. A. Vallance, “To Oslo via Stavanger”, in Railway Magazine, page 219
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.
    • 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.1921, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC
12. In a strongly distinguishing or differentiating manner; acutely.
    • The wealth of this small country contrasts sharply with that of its neighbours.
    • 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.2023 November 15, Paul Clifton, “Early responses to Scottish fares trial”, in RAIL, number 996, pages 44-45