sharpness

noun

Definition of sharpnessnext
1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality he found that the bland crackers helped cut the sharpness of the cheese

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2
as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness dress warmly; there's a bit of sharpness in the air today

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3
as in intelligence
exceptional discernment and judgment especially in practical matters possesses a political sharpness that most campaign managers would envy

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4
as in sensitivity
the state or quality of being able to sense slight impressions or differences possesses the proverbial sharpness of an eagle's eye

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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 sharpness This midlife window gives us the opening to set our brains up for years of mental sharpness. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026 As for my side by sides, there was a 4-degree difference of sharpness along my jawline and my cheekbones were lifted by one percent. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026 The process sounds similar to Apple’s excellent nano-texture finishes, but Amazon seems to believe its method comes with even fewer tradeoffs in contrast and sharpness. — David Pierce, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026 Almost a decade later in its Broadway debut, it’s lost none of that, and White’s production — perhaps inevitably given the arc of those passing years — adds sharpness to its cruelties and weight to its grief. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026 Butchering an animal, removing its skin and processing its meat could each require a different balance of sharpness, precision and durability. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026 After showing signs of sharpness Monday in Detroit, Ryan never settled in Sunday, and Cleveland took advantage. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Beavis and Butt-Head function as a note-perfect satire of teenage confidence and idiocy, but the sharpness of the writing has always belied the bottom-of-the-barrel intellect of its title characters. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026 Bars of steel are fused together like a sandwich, heat-treated and tempered for durability and sharpness, and then ground down, polished, etched, and honed. — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpness
  1. bitterness
  2. chill
  3. intelligence
  4. sensitivity
  5. edge
  6. chilliness
  7. wit
  8. bite
Noun
  • Some are prized for their sweet custard and fruity notes, others for a hint of bitterness, an alcohol tinge or even a peanut butter flavor.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Arugula’s natural bitterness kicks off digestion before the first bite, cueing saliva, stomach acid and digestive enzymes that help the body prepare to break down a meal.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of bitterness
Noun
  • Highs across the Houston area are expected to reach only the upper 60s or lower 70s, with breezes adding to the chill.
    — Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 17 Oct. 2026
  • October is spooky season, and this week's offerings from Disney+ and Hulu lean into the chills and thrills.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of chill
Noun
  • Reuters reported, citing a cyber threat intelligence analyst, that Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany, and Belgium were affected.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Denmark's defense intelligence service specifically warned Russia could use such tactics to split the NATO alliance.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of intelligence
Noun
  • The researchers conducted the tests from September 8 to 11, using different sensor configurations to assess the system’s sensitivity.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Howard called additionally for a public apology from UMD's tennis club, sensitivity training for players and a donation of tournament funds to a local museum focused on African American history.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of sensitivity
Noun
  • Yet, as in many speculative markets, sophisticated participants often have access to better information, stronger analytical tools and more advanced risk-management techniques than retail participants, giving them an informational edge.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The eastern edge of the park is the north-south alley that serves businesses along Laramie.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • Or that Penélope Cruz’s sultry chilliness would jibe with either her male counterparts or Wilde’s diary-of-a-mad-housewife interpretation of a brittle, eager-to-impress woman brimming with creative frustration.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2026
Definition of chilliness
Noun
  • Much has been made of Winter’s idiosyncratic star power, and as an extremely tall, wet-dog-handsome instrumental virtuoso with a one-of-a-kind voice and just enough self-aware wit and lacerating lyricism to keep it relatable, that’s indisputable.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Now completed by his son, David Greaves, this documentary offers an intimate time capsule of a generation’s wit, debates and unmistakable style — inviting audiences to spend an evening in the company of history.
    — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of wit
Noun
  • The pilots informed air traffic controllers ahead of landing that one person had a bloody nose and another person had bite marks and requested that medical personnel be waiting at the gate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The mild sweetness of onions pairs naturally with tallow’s savory character, and when fried at the right temperature the coating turns crisp and golden without the onions losing their tender bite.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of bite

Browse Nearby Words

sharply
sharpness
sharps
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Cite this Entry

“Sharpness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpness. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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