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
Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
From elevated basics to matching sets, these frequent flyers have honed the formula for looking good while getting from point A to B (with their stylish carry-on in tow, of course).
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Unlike others of his ilk, Dexter has honed his compulsion and focuses only on bad people in Miami who slip through the hands of justice.
—Barry Garron, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Solis said the plan and national momentum likely would not have been possible without these volunteer efforts by public university professors and researchers, many of whom focus on climate impacts in their work and have honed skills to effectively communicate it to the public.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The book honed Wolfe’s vivid style of writing that ushered in the New Journalism movement of the era.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Bailey honed his craft in the theater, starting at a young age, before graduating to television.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Lauter’s blocking talents were honed last season when the offense primarily ran through running back Ashton Jeanty.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2025
Such practice is admittedly time-consuming, but like so many other skills that require hours and hours of repetition to perfect, reading ability must be honed through effort.
—Big Think, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
Contemporary fiction as it is practiced today in many mainstream forms is honed to that rapid symbolic interpretation.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
From elevated basics to matching sets, these frequent flyers have honed the formula for looking good while getting from point A to B (with their stylish carry-on in tow, of course).
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Unlike others of his ilk, Dexter has honed his compulsion and focuses only on bad people in Miami who slip through the hands of justice.
—Barry Garron, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Solis said the plan and national momentum likely would not have been possible without these volunteer efforts by public university professors and researchers, many of whom focus on climate impacts in their work and have honed skills to effectively communicate it to the public.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The book honed Wolfe’s vivid style of writing that ushered in the New Journalism movement of the era.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Bailey honed his craft in the theater, starting at a young age, before graduating to television.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Lauter’s blocking talents were honed last season when the offense primarily ran through running back Ashton Jeanty.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2025
Such practice is admittedly time-consuming, but like so many other skills that require hours and hours of repetition to perfect, reading ability must be honed through effort.
—Big Think, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honed
Verb
-
Since signing to Matador, the band has sharpened its sound into a quirky, exhilarated alt-pop, too uncanny to be dance-punk and too lively to be slacker rock.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Queen Latifah sharpened her tailoring with beige slingbacks in New York last month.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
All other produce can be gently rubbed while being rinsed.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The female nurse rubbed the glove over her sides, into the folds, on the back of her neck.—
Laura Vazquez,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Dashcam Deals The Rove R2-4K Dual dash cam features 4K front and 1080p rear recording, giving you sharp coverage of everything happening around your car, day or night.—
Jade Chung-Lee,
PC Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
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Trump’s trade penalties are expected to be in sharp focus when global finance leaders and central bankers gather.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Featuring a faux wrap neckline and a deep V-neck design, the sweater is sophisticated and polished enough for date nights, after-work cocktails, parties, and more.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Getting dressed up counts, polished in a new chic and definitively not casual [way].—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The case, filed by journalists, media organizations, clergy and local residents, claims federal agents used tear gas, pepper balls and other force to intimidate peaceful demonstrators and reporters covering immigration enforcement operations.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
In 2024, shortly after the 32-year-old filed for divorce from her estranged husband, Offset, Pooh Shiesty allegedly took to her comment section during a live Instagram broadcast.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Honed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honed. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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