Synonyms of sharpen

sharpen

verb

ˈshär-pən 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grind
• hone
• whet
• stone
• edge
• file
• strop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dull
• blunt
• polish
• round
• smooth
• gloss
• burnish
• buff

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sharpen

While the Nike Running playbook has led the way in its turnaround efforts, Hill also spoke about efforts to sharpen its focus with consumers. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Gaining a better understanding of these processes would do the most to sharpen sea-level projections. — Robert Kopp, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

How Trump policies may affect bond issuers Ethics experts note that while municipal debt generally presents a more remote conflict of interest than corporate stock, concerns sharpen when federal action directly targets an issuer. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

An executive at Johnson Controls with experience as a project architect and manager, Kozlowski said his professional background had sharpened his approach to city projects, management and decision-making. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026