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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hone
But her difficulties in her weakest courses forced her to hone a different asset.
—
Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025
Having honed their skills in a college sketch-comedy troupe, the trio’s strategy was to throw as many jokes per minute at the screen as possible, the sillier the better, ensuring that enough of them stuck to cushion the ones that missed the mark.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2025
Its goal in bringing together these enforcement bodies is to hone their resources to focus on the investigation and prosecution of Customs fraud, among other issues.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 July 2025
Kennedy has a polished manner and a fluency with social policy that was honed on Capitol Hill.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hone
Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025
Having honed their skills in a college sketch-comedy troupe, the trio’s strategy was to throw as many jokes per minute at the screen as possible, the sillier the better, ensuring that enough of them stuck to cushion the ones that missed the mark.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2025
Its goal in bringing together these enforcement bodies is to hone their resources to focus on the investigation and prosecution of Customs fraud, among other issues.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 July 2025
Kennedy has a polished manner and a fluency with social policy that was honed on Capitol Hill.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hone
Verb
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States are sharpening the academic side of pathways, too.—
Vicki Phillips,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Mike from across the road comes over as usual with his advice: change the oil, the filter, sharpen the blades.—
Cate Marvin,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Just be sure not to rub it in too much—doing so can dull the scent’s staying power.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
15 Aug. 2025
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To apply, the brand recommends rubbing a small amount in an upward motion on the neck to best combat sagging.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Vinegar is one of the most versatile products in the pantry with uses that range from adding pep to coleslaw and barbecue sauce to protecting houseplants and polishing silver.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
15 Aug. 2025
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Between the Trump Administration declaring private accounts a red flag for foreign students and prospective employers using AI to find fake applicants, the old rules of polishing and making your accounts private are becoming obsolete.—
Erin Spencer Sairam,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If your journey has jagged edges, don't sand them down.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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Contractors will power wash and sand the slide to remove grease dirt, and oxidation, according to city documents.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Each was then ground with a mortar and pestle with some human saliva added to simulate the chewed end product.—
Elizabeth Rayne,
ArsTechnica,
19 Aug. 2025
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Memphis and Orlando are built to grind opponents down — blue-collar playoff teams with deep rotations and physically punishing styles.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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His administration filed a judicial misconduct complaint against a judge who ruled that Trump officials likely committed criminal contempt by ignoring his directive to turn around planes carrying people being sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Aug. 2025
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Earlier this year, the IRS mailed checks to those who missed the RRC in 2021 (returns filed in 2022, for stimulus checks related to COVID).—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hone. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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