sharpen

sharp·en

verb \ˈshär-pən\

sharp·enedsharp·en·ing\ˈshärp-niŋ, ˈshär-pə-\

Definition of SHARPEN

transitive verb

: to make sharp or sharper; especially : hone

intransitive verb

: to become sharp or sharper

— sharp·en·er \ˈshärp-nər, ˈshär-pə-\ noun

Examples of SHARPEN

1. Can you sharpen the image?
2. The lecture sharpened my understanding of the topic.
3. The outlines of the mountains sharpened as we got closer.

First Known Use of SHARPEN

15th century

Related to SHARPEN

Synonyms: edge, grind, hone, stone, strop, whet

Antonyms: blunt, dull

Related Words: file

Near Antonyms: buff, burnish, gloss, polish, round, smooth

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Rhymes with SHARPEN

tarpon