In a manner lacking in distinctness, precision, or clarity; vaguely or imprecisely. This adverb describes actions, observations, or perceptions that are not clearly defined, focused, or intense. It implies a degree of softness, blurriness, or lack of definition. It suggests that something is not easily perceived, understood, or felt due to a deficiency in sharpness. The effect can be physical, such as blurred vision, or conceptual, like a poorly defined idea. This implies the absence of clear boundaries, distinct edges, or strong impact, the opposite of vivid detail or decisive action. Often used when describing details or events that lack sharp contrast or precise definition.
Unsharply meaning with examples
- The memory of the incident resurfaced, the edges of the scene appearing unsharply. The details, once vivid, were now softened by time, the colors muted, the faces indistinct. It was as if a gentle haze had settled over the event, obscuring the finer points and leaving only a general impression. The sounds, the smells, the very textures felt unsharply. Only the core emotions remained, powerful and poignant.
- She looked at the photograph, noting that her vision came over her unsharply, the image of her late father faded, almost out of focus. The colors ran, the details blurred, creating a soft, almost ethereal portrait. The absence of clear lines and crisp definition intensified the sense of distance and loss. It felt like the very essence of the moment was escaping the limits of the photographic paper, becoming ethereal.
- The artist painted the landscape unsharply, avoiding stark lines and sharp contrasts. The blending of colors created a dreamy, impressionistic effect, where the boundaries of the trees, the fields, and the sky felt unsharply defined, all merging and intermingling. The overall effect was gentle and serene, evoking a feeling of peace rather than precision and definition.
- Listening to the radio broadcast, his understanding of the news came across unsharply; the information arrived in a muffled way with certain words indecipherable. The static interference blurred the speaker's words, leaving a vague impression of the message's main point. It was difficult to get a good mental picture due to an inability to fully engage or focus on the situation. It's impact was dampened overall.
- The detective's notes described the suspect's features unsharply, offering only a general sense of his appearance. Height was estimated; his hair color was vague. The lack of specific details made identifying the suspect extremely difficult. The descriptions, not concise, created ambiguity, the absence of clearly defined characteristics. They were insufficient for creating an accurate and reliable mental picture.