Synonyms of hone

hone

verb

ˈhōn 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sharpen
• grind
• whet
• stone
• edge
• file
• strop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dull
• blunt
• polish
• round
• smooth
• gloss
• burnish
• buff

2

as in to rub

to make smooth by friction

honed the edge of the axe until it was amazingly sharp

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sharpen
• rub
• polish
• sand
• grind
• file
• buff
• scrape
• plane
• scour
• shine
• smooth
• rasp
• whet
• burnish
• edge
• sandblast
• gloss
• strop
• dress
• regrind

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• roughen
• rough (up)
• coarsen
• scuff

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hone

Quixote, part of the real estate giant Hudson Pacific (which leases Sunset Studios to Netflix), has been in a monthslong effort to reduce its footprint, cut its soundstage leases and hone its fleet business. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2026

Plus, celebrities who’ve honed expert airport styling, like Katie Holmes, prove that whatever fall shoe trends are this year, a white sneaker adds a polished, sophisticated edge to any travel outfit. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 14 Sep. 2026

Kvaratskhelia is a proud Georgian — his heritage forms an important part of his identity — and his skills were honed on the country’s cage football pitches. — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Some have innate talent that is naturally honed and directed. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026