sharply

Etymology

From Middle English sharply, scharply, from Old English sċearplīċe (“sharply, smartly”), equivalent to sharp + -ly.

adv

1. In a sharp manner.
   Walters tried a long range shot in the third minute as he opened the game sharply, linking well with Robbie Keane, but goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko gathered the ball with ease. November 11, 2011, Rory Houston, “Estonia 0-4 Republic of Ireland”, in RTE Sport
2. (to describe breathing) Suddenly and intensely like a gasp, but typically as the result of an emotional reaction.
3. In an intellectually alert and penetrating manner.
   Peter, after the manner of man at the breakfast table, had allowed half his kedgeree to get cold and was sniggering over a letter. Sophia looked at him sharply. The only letter she had received was from her mother. Sophia's mother was not a humourist. 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in The Cuckoo in the Nest
4. Severely.
   The economy has slowed to a pale shadow of its growth in recent years; inflation is high, the currency is declining sharply against the dollar — but the expectations of Brazilians have rarely been higher, feeding broad intolerance with corruption, bad schools and other government failings. June 18 2013, Simon Romero, “Protests Widen as Brazilians Chide Leaders”, in New York Times, retrieved 2013-06-21
5. Of speech, delivered in a stern or harsh tone.
   Before long Tinette stuck her head round the door, and said sharply, 'You're to go to the study.' 1956 [1880], Johanna Spyri, Heidi, translation of original by Eileen Hall, page 99