# sharply

**Pronunciation:** /ˈʃɑːrpli/ · SHAR-plee

**CEFR level:** B2

**Part of speech:** adverb

## Meaning 1: Degree

To a great degree or extent; significantly.

## Examples

- The company's profits have increased sharply this quarter.
- Public opinion has shifted sharply against the new policy.
- The landscape changed sharply as we drove into the mountains.

## Meaning 2: Physical Manner

In a way that is sudden, steep, or abrupt.

## Examples

- The road turned sharply to the left.
- He stopped sharply when he heard the noise.
- She looked at him sharply, her eyes narrowed.

## Meaning 3: Intense or Severe

In a way that is intense, severe, or extreme.

## Examples

- The criticism was sharply worded.
- He felt a sharply defined pain in his side.
- The contrast between the two colors is sharply defined.

## Synonyms

- significantly — Indicates a noticeable or important amount or effect.
- considerably — Suggests a large or noteworthy degree.
- dramatically — Implies a striking or sudden change, often very noticeable.
- markedly — Emphasizes a clear and obvious difference or change.

## Antonyms

- slightly — Indicates a very small or minor degree.
- gradually — Suggests a slow and steady progression over time.
- steadily — Implies a consistent and even rate of change.

## Common patterns

- sharply increase — To increase by a large amount or degree. — The cost of housing has sharply increased in the last decade.
- sharply decrease — To decrease by a large amount or degree. — The company's profits sharply decreased due to the economic downturn.
- sharply divided — Having very different opinions or views. — The country's population is sharply divided on the issue of immigration.
- sharply worded — Expressed in a very direct, critical, or severe way. — The politician issued a sharply worded statement condemning the violence.

## Collocations

- increase sharply — The number of applicants increased sharply this year.
- decrease sharply — Sales of the product decreased sharply after the scandal.
- fall sharply — The stock market fell sharply on the news.
- rise sharply — The temperature rose sharply in the afternoon.

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