HONES Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

hones

verb

present tense third-person singular of hone

as in sharpens

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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as in rubs

to make smooth by friction honed the edge of the axe until it was amazingly sharp

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hones Chance the Rapper, another honoree, hones his influence and charity on young generations in his hometown through his organization Social Works Chicago, which works with mental health providers, the homeless, and public schools. —

Connor Greene, Time, 22 May 2026 But Highsmith hones the drama by putting us in Chester’s head. —

Literary Hub, 1 May 2026 Victor Wembanyama hones his own brand of basketball daily. —

James Jackson, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026 Both films revolved around Mitchie (Lovato), who hones her vocal talents at the camp alongside the Gray brothers Shane (Joe Jonas), Nate (Nick Jonas), and Jason (Kevin Jonas). —

Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025 To survive a ruthless winnowing—to go from one of about 16,000 high-school quarterbacks each year to one of the 10 good ones in the NFL to one of the three or so each generation who earn the Hall of Fame’s gold jacket—hones certain traits within them and strips others away. —

Seth Wickersham, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025 Training also hones employability skills and offers guidance for honing college and career paths. —

Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 1 Sep. 2025 Interior decorator Guiomar Doval, a fourth-generation Tanjawi of Spanish descent who studied design in Madrid, hones her Afro-Mediterranean style using north Moroccan materials and crafts in restaurants like Chiringuito in Tanja Marina Bay. —

Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hones

Verb

Thomas Massie’s defeat sharpens a dangerous instinct before the midterms.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 20 May 2026
If anything, this transit sharpens our ability to read between the lines, connect dots and uncover information that presents a certain kind of advantage.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026