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 broader policy debate over tax equity, health funding, and the fallout from federal budget changes is expected to sharpen as the measure moves forward. Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 That the film introduces the possibility the missile might prove to be a dud further deepens its sense of uncertainty, sharpening the fear and chaos around the decision-making process. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025 Even one extra hour, such as from six to seven hours of sleep, can sharpen attention, creativity and decision-making. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025 When kindly suburban businesswoman Peg (Dianne West) takes him in, Edward's soft heart and artistic skills win over her family — particularly her teenage daughter (Winona Ryder) — but the very hands that create beauty also stir fear, causing the neighbors to sharpen their pitchforks. Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sharpen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpen
Verb
  • Worcestershire, dry mustard, and ground red pepper combine with your go-to cheese, for a foolproof party snack.
    Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Teflon’s nonstick, nonreactive characteristics hinge on its immensely strong carbon-fluorine bonds, but the ball mill can break these bonds apart by grinding them with the sodium metal.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Along the way, Phillips could further hone his game on the Korn Ferry Tour, a developmental professional tour, and maybe also find an avenue to the PGA through Q School tournaments.
    Alex Valdes, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • That Beijing is honing its ability to mount a blockade isn’t in doubt.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • It’s definitely whetted my appetite to do a lot more.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Ahead of the release, we've been given a new Avatar: Fire & Ash trailer to whet our appetites.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sharpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpen. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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