as in sharpened
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something
using a finely honed butcher knife will make cutting meat easier
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in whetted
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rubbed
to make smooth by friction
honed the edge of the axe until it was amazingly sharp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of honed
Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 June 2026
And while the hours and hours of practice certainly honed the sisters’ skills, their parents can’t explain where the girls got their immense physical gifts.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
From growing up in the circus to working with Richard Pryor as a film student to preserving music history, the director has honed a distinct corner of cinema.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 May 2026
His players believe those communication skills honed as a radio host are a big reason behind their success.
—Bob Pompeani, CBS News, 27 May 2026
And why not make Lohner a red-zone target with his vertical leap honed from his basketball background?
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
Born on May 23, 1933 in Paddington, London, Collins honed her acting skills at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in her teens.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
This balance of instinct, creativity and discipline has been honed through experiences that have led Cerrato through Montblanc, Panerai, Tudor, HYT and, most recently, to the helm of Bremont.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 23 May 2026
But Ahangarani’s skill as a story teller, honed over a three-decade acting career including more than 40 features, and through directing a number of documentary shorts, is clear to see.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 16 May 2026
Verb
It will be anchored by the brilliant Melissa Hancock, who will bring her deep expertise on global and regional business trends honed via a stellar career writing for the Middle East Economic Digest, Arabian Gulf Business Insight, and The Banker, part of the FT group.
—Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 June 2026
And while the hours and hours of practice certainly honed the sisters’ skills, their parents can’t explain where the girls got their immense physical gifts.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
From growing up in the circus to working with Richard Pryor as a film student to preserving music history, the director has honed a distinct corner of cinema.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 May 2026
His players believe those communication skills honed as a radio host are a big reason behind their success.
—Bob Pompeani, CBS News, 27 May 2026
And why not make Lohner a red-zone target with his vertical leap honed from his basketball background?
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
Born on May 23, 1933 in Paddington, London, Collins honed her acting skills at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in her teens.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
This balance of instinct, creativity and discipline has been honed through experiences that have led Cerrato through Montblanc, Panerai, Tudor, HYT and, most recently, to the helm of Bremont.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 23 May 2026
But Ahangarani’s skill as a story teller, honed over a three-decade acting career including more than 40 features, and through directing a number of documentary shorts, is clear to see.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 16 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honed
Verb
-
In an era of algorithm outrage and viral infamy, the film's central warning has only sharpened.—
Time,
Time,
10 June 2026
-
If that fails, individual, sharpened crystal prisms can be deployed on command.—
Dahlia Gallin Ramirez,
New Yorker,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Chemical filters, such as avobenzone, octocrylene and homosalate, appear clear when rubbed on the skin but sometimes feel oily.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
9 June 2026
-
The good times keep rolling through the commercial breaks, as A-listers rubbed elbows, and at the afterparties, where the big stars enjoyed burgers from Shake Shack and got their drink on.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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Things take a sharp pivot when Liz and Dolores arrive at the Rhode Island State House.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
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Ben-Gvir has come under sharp condemnation from other Israeli leaders for making controversial videos, such as his treatment of flotilla activists who were detained after attempting to break the maritime blockade of Gaza.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Lightweight cotton and silky fabrics are also ever-present fabrics that strike this balance of comfortable enough for the warm Caribbean weather but still polished.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
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One shopper called them an easy way to elevate loungewear, while another said the shoes were polished enough to wear to an outdoor wedding.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
6 June 2026
Verb
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One of them was Benjamin Locke, a men’s soccer player with the Wolfpack who filed the original lawsuit in August 2022.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
-
The 21-year-old filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court to change her name to simply Zahara Marley Jolie, according to court records obtained by USA TODAY.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Honed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honed. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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