SHARPLY


Meaning of SHARPLY in English

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.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.