as in sharp
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something
the sharpened blade of a lawn mower
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 sharpened
Susan Page, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
In central states, climate change has sharpened competition over land and water, intensifying clashes between farmers and herders.
—Yusuf Tuggar, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
The primary reflects the modern Texas Democratic Party challenge, uniting diverse factions after three decades of losing statewide races that have sharpened questions about electability.
—Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Housing supply has struggled to keep pace, causing spiralling rents and shortages that have sharpened unease about immigration.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 15 Feb. 2026
Farhan talks about how distance sharpened the awareness of what could and could not be done from safety.
—Eda Uysen, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
For now, Murphy and Hines’s take goes first, full of potential and spice; that ascendant Kennedy heir Jack Schlossberg got into a public contretemps with Murphy while the production was filming only sharpened the anticipation.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2026
Duah and Tverskov said the three-and-a-half-week training camp sharpened efforts to cash in on corner kicks and other set pieces.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The White House has repeatedly pushed to halt the flow of billions of dollars to California and other states led by Democrats, a strategy that has sharpened partisan tensions and expanded the scope of California’s legal fight against the administration.
—Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
That said, the swing of dozens of seats has become increasingly difficult as the number of competitive districts has declined and political divisions have sharpened.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
In central states, climate change has sharpened competition over land and water, intensifying clashes between farmers and herders.
—Yusuf Tuggar, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
The primary reflects the modern Texas Democratic Party challenge, uniting diverse factions after three decades of losing statewide races that have sharpened questions about electability.
—Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Housing supply has struggled to keep pace, causing spiralling rents and shortages that have sharpened unease about immigration.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 15 Feb. 2026
Farhan talks about how distance sharpened the awareness of what could and could not be done from safety.
—Eda Uysen, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
For now, Murphy and Hines’s take goes first, full of potential and spice; that ascendant Kennedy heir Jack Schlossberg got into a public contretemps with Murphy while the production was filming only sharpened the anticipation.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2026
Duah and Tverskov said the three-and-a-half-week training camp sharpened efforts to cash in on corner kicks and other set pieces.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
The White House has repeatedly pushed to halt the flow of billions of dollars to California and other states led by Democrats, a strategy that has sharpened partisan tensions and expanded the scope of California’s legal fight against the administration.
—Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpened
Adjective
-
The crab is mixed with extra-sharp Cheddar for boldness and cream cheese and Havarti for creaminess.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Using scissors, or knives that aren’t sharp may crush the vascular tissue and prevent the flowers from taking up water, leading to faster decline.—
Heather Zidack,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Second baseman Christian Caro and outfielder Adolpho Erives are hitting machines, while shortstop Jacob Soliz, first baseman Mason Gonzalez, infielder Scott Knight and outfielder Joe Bury return from a team that won 22 games and was edged by eventual state runnerup Smithson Valley in the playoffs.—
Colby Gordon,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Marin Mooney tallied 14 points as Nantucket (10-10) edged Sturgis West 37-36 in the Cape and Islands League.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This experience grounds my approach in practicality, accountability, and real world outcomes rather than theory alone.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Lee Yi-shan has a unique ability to ground the supernatural in the emotional reality of her characters.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Then, in December 2023, Tommy Lee Jones filed a petition for the convervatorship to be terminated, which was granted, court records show.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Court records document their wife filed for divorce that same year, citing irreconcilable differences.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The sidewalks were already frozen slick early in December, and my body was rigid from the jagged cold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Kimberley Alpine Resort is surrounded by jagged peaks, and its car-free downtown feels like a snow globe, complete with a quaint look and quiet atmosphere.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sharpened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpened. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
