1
as in to sharpen
to make sharp or sharper
honed the knife's blade to razor-like sharpness honed his crossword-puzzle skills by reading the dictionary as though it were a thrilling novel
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction
honed the edge of the axe until it was amazingly sharp
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hone
The film was of course directed by a filmmaker who honed his craft and built an audience on a Google/YouTube platform, while influencers themselves are expected to use more AI tools in the coming year.
—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2026
Beginning in her early teens, Joyce loved watching Kirk’s debates on Instagram, seeing in them not carefully honed rhetorical tactics but authentic civility.
—
Eliza Griswold,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Glass’s coaches taught us in her method, honed through the years from a wealth of psychological theory.
—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
In the meantime, the teen appears to be honing her stunt skills.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hone
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2026
Beginning in her early teens, Joyce loved watching Kirk’s debates on Instagram, seeing in them not carefully honed rhetorical tactics but authentic civility.
—
Eliza Griswold,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Glass’s coaches taught us in her method, honed through the years from a wealth of psychological theory.
—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
In the meantime, the teen appears to be honing her stunt skills.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hone
Verb
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Over‑the‑air updates can quietly fix bugs, refine transmission shift logic, improve battery preconditioning for faster charging, or sharpen the calibration of automatic emergency braking systems.
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Becoming a mother has definitely further sharpened that skill.
Verb
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Dozens of media outlets, from international agencies to local TV stations to true crime podcasters, were inside the Lexington County courthouse to again chronicle every forehead rub and quizzical look from the once rich and imposing Southern lawyer.
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The bumper was rubbing the tire and a headlight looked to be dragging.
Verb
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Parker Kitternan was busy at the console of the church's pipe organ, polishing his musical tribute for the weekend.
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Wear it with flat sandals for a beachfront dinner or add wedges and simple jewelry for an outfit that feels polished enough for a special occasion.
Verb
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Their work included sanding the benches along the Naperville Riverwalk.
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The dredge is conducted by crane and excavator barges that dig sand up and deposit it in another barge.
Verb
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So Norway’s chefs brought their own coffee beans and grind every morning.
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If tension surfaces in a chat or client meeting, ground yourself by restating the facts, then suggest a next step everyone can accept.
Verb
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In May, the EEOC filed a discrimination lawsuit against the New York Times alleging discrimination against a white male employee, which the Times has rejected as politically motivated.
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After Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles, several people filed a lawsuit in July 2025 alleging authorities questioned them without justification.
Cite this Entry
“Hone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hone. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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