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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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 sharpen The result is a feedback loop that sharpens producibility at the point of manufacture, rather than after the fact. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026 The backlash may reach beyond one billionaire The election also sharpened the political fight over data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure. — Garrett Downs,mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026 That tension is about to sharpen when Democrats control the oversight process. — Gibbs Knotts, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2026 The co-founders are bullish on the technology’s potential, touting benefits from alleviating depression, anxiety and chronic fatigue to sharpening focus, improving decision-making and boosting athletic performance. — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sharpen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpen

Verb

The path Republicans take is not entirely up to him, however, given that an individual senator has enough privileges to grind floor business to a crawl.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
But as there’s still one last weekend to grind through before Election Day, get ready for a heavy press of often irrelevant ads to hit your retinas during this weekend’s football games.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of grind

Verb

The trio honed an aesthetic distinct from neighboring Chicago’s emerging style of house music, stripping out vintage soul for chillier, futuristic productions.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
The Chicago test kitchen inside the Old Post Office is where Home Chef hones its recipe — or more precisely dozens of recipes — for success.

— Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of hone

Verb

That includes a wave of high-profile matchups such as Duke at Kansas in an exhibition game meant to whet the appetite for the Eternal City Tip-Off and other games like it.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Frasers’ failed takeover bid this past summer only whetted its acquisitive owner Mike Ashley‘s appetite for more.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of sharpen

verb

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