Synonyms of sharpen

sharpen

verb

ˈshär-pən 

as in to grind

to make sharp or sharper

you need to sharpen your penknife's blade frequently in order to be able to whittle properly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grind
• hone
• whet
• stone
• edge
• file
• strop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sharpen

Research on digestion could sharpen the picture The early evidence on sourdough and digestion is promising, but researchers say human results are still mixed because the effect can depend on the flour, the starter and how long the dough ferments. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Lambert, who was a substitute at Silver Rail before becoming a full-time teacher, also traveled to Barcelona, Spain, to sharpen her skills teaching English as a second language. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026

For children with myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, these glasses can do more than sharpen blurry vision. — Lauryn Higgins, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Cohan plays Catherine ‘Cat’ Keegan, a former homecoming queen whose small-town charm has sharpened into something fiercer thanks to decades of old grudges and regrets. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026