sharp ‧ ly W3 /ˈʃɑːpli $ ˈʃɑːr-/ BrE AmE adverb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ sharpener , ↑ sharpness , ↑ sharp ; adverb : ↑ sharp , ↑ sharply , ↑ sharpish ; verb : ↑ sharpen ; adjective : ↑ sharp ]
1 . suddenly and by a large amount:
Prices have risen sharply over the last few months.
His politics have moved sharply to the right.
2 . in a disapproving or unfriendly way:
‘What do you mean by that?’ Paul asked sharply.
a sharply critical report
3 . quickly and suddenly:
Graham looked up sharply, startled by a noise behind him.
Emily drew in her breath sharply.
4 . used when saying that two things are clearly and noticeably very different:
Opinion is sharply divided.
His beliefs and values contrast sharply with (=are very different from) his father’s.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ rise/increase sharply
The value of early photographs has risen sharply in recent years.
▪ fall/drop sharply
Oil prices fell sharply.
▪ sharply reduce/cut something
These measures could sharply reduce pollution from road traffic.