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

The instrument then used adaptive optics to sharpen the images of these faint planets around their bright stars. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 11 Dec. 2025

As the world enters a year marked by political transitions, economic uncertainty, and sharpening geopolitical rivalries, new conflict assessments warn that instability is set to intensify across several key regions. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

Most Japanese-style carbon-steel kitchen knives have asymmetric bevels, meaning that each side of the cutting edge is sharpened at a different angle. —Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2025

Wellman said using Stellantis' system actually sharpens his attention behind the wheel. —Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025

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