SHARPEN Synonyms: 15 Similar and Opposite Words

sharpen

verb

ˈshär-pən

Definition of sharpen

as in to grind

to make sharp or sharper you need to sharpen your penknife's blade frequently in order to be able to whittle properly

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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 sharpen But the fear and exasperation among the lenders whose money fuels this game sharpened noticeably over the past week. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026 And with the Chiefs looking to sharpen their defensive big-play skills, LA may provide the best opportunity. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026 With six key players sidelined for Phoenix, including All-Star guard Devin Booker, the game offered the Spurs a welcome opportunity to sharpen their rotation against limited resistance. — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 14 Oct. 2026 Psychologists David Comer Kidd and Emanuele Castano of the New School for Social Research have found that reading literary fiction can sharpen people’s ability to read others’ emotions. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sharpen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpen

Verb

While the left spent all week whining about Sophie Cunningham's hat and firing squad best practices, us PATRIOTS were biding our time, keeping our heads down, and grinding towards another weekend.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, smashing beef with a wooden spoon, until wine is evaporated, surface of pot is almost dry, and meat is finely ground, 12–15 minutes.

— Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of grind

Verb

The success of the original series and its spinoffs has provided ample data to Moonbug, which has refined and honed the programming in the process.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Scientists need to hone their ability to discuss the benefits of science in people’s everyday lives, and to stop expecting the public to blindly trust them, several experts told STAT.

— Nicholas Florko, STAT, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of hone

Verb

Here, the line invokes the possible; the spoken decision not to tell acts as any secret—to whet the listener’s own desire to know.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
The set-closer peaked with Campbell and Tench trading solos in an extended jam, only further whetting the crowd’s collective appetite for more and closing the case for a tour.

— Adam Gold, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of whet

Browse Nearby Words

sharped

sharpen

sharpened

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“Sharpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpen. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sharpen

verb

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