sharpen

1 of 2

verb

sharp·​en ˈshär-pən 

sharpened; sharpening ˈshär-pə-niŋ 

ˈshärp-niŋ

transitive verb

: to make sharp or sharper

especially : hone

intransitive verb

: to become sharp or sharper

sharpener

ˈshär-pə-nər 

ˈshärp-nər

noun

sharpener

2 of 2

noun

sharp·​en·​er ˈshärp(ə)nər 

ˈshȧp(ə)nə(r

plural -s

: one that sharpens something (such as tools or gears): such as

a

: pencil sharpener

b

: one that sharpens the saws of linter machines

Synonyms of sharpen

Verb

• grind
• hone
• whet
• stone

Examples of sharpen in a Sentence

Verb

Can you sharpen the image?

The lecture sharpened my understanding of the topic.

The outlines of the mountains sharpened as we got closer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Her boredom was sharpened by the discovery that most of her initial assumptions were wrong. — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Their offense has one of the NFL’s best defenses to sharpen itself against in practice. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

The Virgo Moon moves through your 3rd House of Communication, sharpening your attention to words, timing, errands, and local conversations. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026

This surge in debt issuance — including less-visible forms of leverage — is sharpening the focus on whether the eventual returns from AI infrastructure can justify the vast sums being spent. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing sharpen

• sharpen up

Rhymes for sharpen

• tarpon
• pilocarpine

Kids Definition

sharpen

verb

sharp·​en ˈshär-pən 

sharpened; sharpening ˈshärp-(ə-)niŋ 

1

: to make or become sharp or sharper

sharpen a pencil

a better lens sharpened the image

pain that suddenly sharpened

2

: improve

sharpen one's skills

sharpener

ˈshärp-(ə-)nər 

noun