Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

sharpen

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of sharpen

to make sharp or sharper

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

edge, grind, hone, stone, strop, whet
Words Related to sharpen

file
Near Antonyms of sharpen

buff, burnish, gloss, polish, round, smooth
Antonyms of sharpen

blunt, dull

Learn More about sharpen

  1. See words that rhyme with sharpen Dictionary: Definition of sharpen Spanish Central: Translation of sharpen Nglish: Translation of sharpen for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sharpen for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up sharpen? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

recalcitrant

obstinately defiant of authority

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. gaslight It is a word, though.

  2. invasion CNN reporter questions President.

  3. relevancy Ariana Grande slams ex-fiancé.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games