different between intensely vs sharply

English

Alternative forms

• intencely

Etymology

intense +? -ly

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?t?nsli/

Adverb

intensely (comparative more intensely, superlative most intensely)

1. In an intense manner.

   He pursued his studies intensely.

2. To an intense degree, extremely.

   An intensely private man, he kept chit-chat to a minimum.

Translations

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /???pli/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /???pli/

Adverb

sharply (comparative sharplier or more sharply, superlative sharpliest or most sharply)

1. In a sharp manner.
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.
4. Severely.
   • 2013 June 18, Simon Romero, "Protests Widen as Brazilians Chide Leaders," New York Times (retrieved 21 June 2013):

     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.

5. Of speech, delivered in a stern or harsh tone.

Translations