sharpen

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

Synonyms of sharpen

• grind
• hone
• whet
• stone

Examples of sharpen in a Sentence

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

John Steinbeck used Black Wing pencils and geared up to write for the day by sharpening his stock. — Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026

His daughters sharpened their communication skills, talked to friends and family, and set up their own playdates. — Stephanie Ganz Published, Parents, 6 Nov. 2026

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

Williams may have been trying to sharpen his team’s focus before a game against Michigan State two days later in Chicago. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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