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
Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 17 June 2026
The sandwich starts with a split pandesal roll smeared with both Mornay sauce and a garlic sauce sharpened with yuzu sourced from a tree at an uncle’s home.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
The Corolla still pumps out 300 horsepower but engineers have increased torque to 302 lb-ft and sharpened the drivetrain to provide even more aggressive acceleration and improved response, making the GRMN version the most potent ever.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
In an era of algorithm outrage and viral infamy, the film's central warning has only sharpened.
—Time, 10 June 2026
If that fails, individual, sharpened crystal prisms can be deployed on command.
—Dahlia Gallin Ramirez, New Yorker, 9 June 2026
Lawn mower blades should be sharpened regularly for the sake of your lawn.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
Most drill bits are cut at a 60-degree angle, and should be sharpened at 60 degrees.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 5 June 2026
Energy security in focus The war’s disruption to the Strait of Hormuz has sharpened focus on energy security around the world and comes on the heels of the energy crisis sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Verb
The collection made the wait feel almost purposeful, as if absence sharpened the duo’s already exacting vision.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 17 June 2026
The sandwich starts with a split pandesal roll smeared with both Mornay sauce and a garlic sauce sharpened with yuzu sourced from a tree at an uncle’s home.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
The Corolla still pumps out 300 horsepower but engineers have increased torque to 302 lb-ft and sharpened the drivetrain to provide even more aggressive acceleration and improved response, making the GRMN version the most potent ever.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
In an era of algorithm outrage and viral infamy, the film's central warning has only sharpened.
—Time, 10 June 2026
If that fails, individual, sharpened crystal prisms can be deployed on command.
—Dahlia Gallin Ramirez, New Yorker, 9 June 2026
Lawn mower blades should be sharpened regularly for the sake of your lawn.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
Most drill bits are cut at a 60-degree angle, and should be sharpened at 60 degrees.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 5 June 2026
Energy security in focus The war’s disruption to the Strait of Hormuz has sharpened focus on energy security around the world and comes on the heels of the energy crisis sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpened
Adjective
-
Davidson had leveled the same line of criticism against Conley in one of the primary race's few sharp clashes.—
Chris McKenna,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
In sharp contrast, the UPEPA tracks the existing summary judgment standard which only looks to whether a minimum of evidence exists and does not require the court to decide issues of facts.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Noelvi Marte hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning, Rhett Lowder allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings and the Cincinnati Reds edged the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 on Saturday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
-
Live variety specials, by contrast, edged up to 28 from 26.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Irregular, edges catch oil differently, crisping into jagged, craggly bits while softer interior pockets hold onto dressing, broth, or sauce—the kind of varied texture that makes each bite its own.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
-
As pests crawl through it, its jagged edges scrape their exoskeletons, dehydrating and killing them.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Center fielder Jakob Marsee put the Marlins ahead with an RBI single before second baseman Xavier Edwards drove in another run while grounding into a double play.—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
21 June 2026
-
The White Sox loaded the bases with one out, but Chase Meidroth grounded into a force at the plate and Colson Montgomery struck out.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Griffin filed a federal defamation lawsuit in Nevada on Monday, June 15, saying her middle school classmate Joleene Altum made false allegations against Griffin, according to documents obtained obtained by USA TODAY.—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
The labor group filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board on Monday after requesting voluntary recognition from management the previous week.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sharpened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpened. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
