1
as in to sharpen
to make sharp or sharper
honed the knife's blade to razor-like sharpness honed his crossword-puzzle skills by reading the dictionary as though it were a thrilling novel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction
honed the edge of the axe until it was amazingly sharp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hone
Koehnemann’s emphasis on fundamentals was honed as Sandberg hit ground balls to him in the driveway.
—
Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
His parents have been a big part of his journey, supporting him along the way, including his decision to take his talents to the University of Connecticut and try to hone his craft further under coach Dan Hurley.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The point guard has been doing lots of one-on-one work to hone his bag, working on how to go out and just be himself.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
If not, use a honing rod to smooth the edge.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hone
Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
His parents have been a big part of his journey, supporting him along the way, including his decision to take his talents to the University of Connecticut and try to hone his craft further under coach Dan Hurley.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The point guard has been doing lots of one-on-one work to hone his bag, working on how to go out and just be himself.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
If not, use a honing rod to smooth the edge.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hone
Verb
-
He was given the tools, but has also worked hard to sharpen them.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Apr. 2026
-
That led to guest shots on Fox News, which further sharpened her TV skills.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mona says, rub her down with alcohol, then some Vicks, put the kettle on for the hot water bottle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Nakua discussed touchdown celebrations on YouTuber Adin Ross' stream, and, in the video, Ross instructed Nakua to spike the ball, flex and then rub his hands together.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Swap to the higher grit stone and repeat the whole process to polish and set the edge.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The program acts almost like a navigation map for individuals intent on entering the sector, from polishing resumes to grasping industry dynamics.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So, Navon and her husband undertook a full restoration, sanding and staining them a honey-oak hue that warms up the home from the ground up.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
31 Mar. 2026
-
This could be older lead from repairs and repainting involving sanding down old lead paint, usually not from a fire.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With activity in the Strait of Hormuz grinding to a near halt, United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is predicting a sharp slowdown in global trade.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
What remains is a grinding war with no clear endpoint and no coherent strategy.—
Kazem Kazerounian,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This will make accounting and filing taxes easier.—
Metro Creative Services,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
As it’s applied today, the law allows trial attorneys to prey on the state’s small and mid-sized businesses — filing frivolous, costly lawsuits over even the most minor violation of California’s complex labor code.—
Tom Manzo,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hone. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
