sharply

sharply — 副詞

1. describing a change that takes place very fast and often involves a big differen

1.副詞B1
釋義

急遽地；大幅

突然且大幅度地變化

describing a change that takes place very fast and often involves a big difference in numbers, direction, or physical state.

例句

Oil prices rose sharply after the storm hit the Gulf.

暴風雨侵襲墨西哥灣後，油價急遽上漲。

verb of change + sharply (increase)

The road turned sharply to the left just past the old bridge.

那條路在老橋過去一點的地方突然急轉向左。

sharply + direction verb

同義詞
  • dramatically

    emphasises the surprising scale of the change

  • steeply

    suggests a near-vertical line on a graph, usually for prices or slopes

  • abruptly

    focuses on the suddenness rather than the amount of change

反義詞

文法句型

sharply + verb of change

verb + sharply

用法筆記

Commonly paired with verbs of measurable change: rise, fall, drop, increase, decrease, turn, slow. The change is almost always physical or numerical; this sense does NOT describe the tone or manner of a person.

常見錯誤

❌He spoke sharply about the budget cuts.' (when meaning severe/angry).
✅Profits fell sharply last quarter.
💡Sense 1 is for sudden numerical or physical change; angry speech belongs to sense 3.

2. describing how a sharp blade, edge, or point cuts or pierces through a surface c

2.副詞B1
釋義

鋒利地

以鋒利邊緣切割或刺穿

describing how a sharp blade, edge, or point cuts or pierces through a surface cleanly — for example, a knife slicing through a ripe tomato.

例句

The knife cut through the ripe tomato sharply, leaving a clean slice.

那把刀鋒利地切開熟透的番茄，留下一片乾淨的切片。

cut + sharply (physical cutting)

Defne trimmed the edges sharply with a brand-new pair of scissors.

Defne 用一把全新的剪刀俐落地修剪邊緣。

同義詞
  • cleanly

    focuses on the neatness of the cut, not the sharpness of the blade

  • nearly

    emphasises the precision of the result, not the action

反義詞
  • dully

    in a blunt way that does not cut cleanly

文法句型

verb + sharply

用法筆記

Typically modifies physical-action verbs: cut, trim, slice, pierce. The subject is usually a tool (knife, blade, scissors) or a person using one. Not used for metaphorical 'cuts' like budget cuts.

3. in a way that shows disapproval, harshness, or anger — especially when speaking

3.副詞B2
釋義

嚴厲地；尖銳

以批評或憤怒的語氣說話

in a way that shows disapproval, harshness, or anger — especially when speaking to or about someone.

例句

The judge spoke sharply to the lawyer who had interrupted the trial.

法官嚴厲地對打斷審判的律師說話。

speak sharply to [sb]

Nellie's mother asked sharply why no one had called to say they would be late.

Nellie 的母親尖銳地問，為什麼沒有人打電話說他們會晚到。

ask sharply

同義詞
  • harshly

    focuses on the unpleasantness of the tone rather than the anger

  • sternly

    implies authority and seriousness more than anger

  • curtly

    suggests the speech is both short and rude

反義詞
  • gently

    soft and kind in tone

  • mildly

    without strong emotion or criticism

文法句型

verb + sharply

用法筆記

Describes the tone or manner of speech, not the content. The verbs it pairs with are verbs of communication: speak, say, ask, reply, criticize, complain. The opposite of 'sharply' in this sense is 'gently' or 'softly'.

4. used to describe how two or more things are clearly different from each other, e

4.副詞B2
釋義

明顯地；鮮明

清楚顯示事物之間的差異

used to describe how two or more things are clearly different from each other, especially in appearance, opinion, or situation.

例句

The new building's glass design contrasted sharply with the old brick houses around it.

新大樓的玻璃設計與周圍的老舊磚房形成鮮明對比。

contrast sharply with [noun]

Voters were sharply divided on the issue of school funding.

選民對於學校經費問題的看法嚴重分歧。

sharply divided

同義詞
  • markedly

    emphasises that the difference is easy to notice

  • strikingly

    suggests the difference grabs your attention

  • clearly

    more general; lacks the sense of opposition that 'sharply' carries

反義詞
  • barely

    differences are so small they are hard to notice

文法句型

contrast sharply with [noun]

be sharply divided

differ sharply

用法筆記

Almost always appears with verbs of comparison or disagreement: contrast, differ, divide, split. Can describe visual contrasts (colours, styles) as well as opinion-based divisions (voters, critics).

5. in a way that shows a stylish, smart, and neat appearance — used especially to d

5.副詞B2
釋義

時髦地

穿著時尚而體面

in a way that shows a stylish, smart, and neat appearance — used especially to describe the way someone dresses.

例句

Ramon arrived at the party sharply dressed in a navy suit and polished shoes.

Ramón 穿著一身海軍藍西裝配上擦亮的皮鞋，時髦地抵達派對。

sharply dressed — informal, US usage

The groom and his best man both dressed sharply for the wedding ceremony.

新郎和伴郎在婚禮上都穿得非常體面時髦。

同義詞
  • smartly

    UK equivalent; more formal, same meaning

  • stylishly

    broader — describes any fashionable look, not just neat/formal

反義詞

文法句型

dress + sharply

look + sharply dressed

用法筆記

This sense is informal and predominantly American. It almost exclusively pairs with 'dress' or 'dressed'. Avoid using it with other verbs ('looks sharply' sounds unnatural). Does NOT mean 'in a way that cuts' — a common learner confusion.

常見錯誤

❌He dressed sharply for the cold weather.' (meaning in warm layers).
✅He dressed sharply for the job interview.
💡'Sharply dressed' means fashionable and neat, not warm or practical.

6. in a way that shows quick, intelligent understanding and the ability to notice s

6.副詞C1
釋義

敏銳地

迅速理解或察覺細節

in a way that shows quick, intelligent understanding and the ability to notice small details that others might miss.

例句

Cole looked sharply at the photograph and spotted the forged signature immediately.

Cole 敏銳地看著那張照片，立刻發現了偽造的簽名。

look sharply at [sth] (keen observation)

Sirin looked sharply at the chess board and saw a winning move her opponent had missed.

Sirin 敏銳地看著棋盤，看出對手沒注意到的一步致勝棋。

look sharply at [sth] (keen observation)

同義詞
  • keenly

    suggests enthusiasm plus alertness

  • astutely

    emphasises wise, practical understanding

  • perceptively

    focuses on the ability to see what others miss

反義詞
  • dully

    slow to understand or notice

  • vaguely

    without clear awareness or comprehension

文法句型

verb + sharply

用法筆記

Describes mental quickness — a sharp look, sharp question, or sharp observation. Distinguish from sense 3 (angry/critical): sense 6 highlights intelligence and alertness, not hostility. A 'sharp question' in this sense is incisive; in sense 3 it would be rude.

常見錯誤

❌She looked sharply at the rude waiter.' (meaning angrily, which is sense 3).
✅She looked sharply at the receipt and found the error.
💡Sense 6 is about noticing details, not expressing anger.