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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Many athletes have found that the pressure of a high-stakes game can help to sharpen focus, and the Del Mar boys irrefutably finished the tournament with strength, resolve, and perhaps more importantly, joy.—
Katherine Anderson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Aug. 2025
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But one pattern has emerged this season: when the track temperature drops, the Silver Arrows seem to sharpen.—
Kanzah Maktoum,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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His walk rate has begun to improve, and the rough edges have begun to be sanded off of his complementary defensive and baserunning skills.—
Tony Blengino,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Barnes’ charisma is sanded down to nothing, which only magnifies how little is going on with Tim.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 July 2025
Verb
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The rally in Mainland markets continued to grind higher, underpinned by policy support and strong technical momentum.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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The grinding insurgencies that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union demanded more and more armor to protect troops from roadside bombs.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Natalie Jackson, co-director of litigation for Ben Crump Law, said the firm owned by the famed civil rights attorney intends to file a lawsuit against Moulton and the City of Orlando.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Aug. 2025
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Last November, the budget carrier became the first major U.S. airline to file for Chapter 11 since American Airlines 13 years ago.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hone. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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