sharp‧ly W3 / ʃɑpli $ ʃɑr- / 副词

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.

COLLOCATIONS

动词

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.