as in sharp
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something
the sharpened blade of a lawn mower
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Recent Examples of sharpened
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
The declassified materials have sharpened scrutiny of how the 2017 intelligence assessment document was produced in the final weeks of the Obama administration, when senior intelligence officials were shaping conclusions about Russian election interference.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
The war has sharpened that contest, by showing once again how vulnerable the global economy is to shocks emanating from the Middle East.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
This can-do attitude has been driving Krier since her pioneer upbringing in North Dakota — and was sharpened during her career as a Boeing engineer building B-17 and B-29 bombers during World War II.
—Karla Marie Sanford, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
The pope did not name specific political leaders but has steadily sharpened his criticism of the war in recent weeks, repeatedly calling for an immediate ceasefire.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Originally presented as a technical overhaul of the justice system, the reform has sharpened political divisions and unified the center‑left opposition, turning the referendum into a symbolic showdown on Meloni's strength one year ahead of national elections.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Originally presented as a technical overhaul of the justice system, the reform has sharpened political divisions and unified the center‑left opposition, turning the referendum into a symbolic showdown on Meloni’s strength one year ahead of national elections.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Lessons are sharpened by the wild environment they’re learned in.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
The commercial logic behind high-resolution restoration has sharpened considerably as streaming platforms have come to depend on catalogue depth.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
The declassified materials have sharpened scrutiny of how the 2017 intelligence assessment document was produced in the final weeks of the Obama administration, when senior intelligence officials were shaping conclusions about Russian election interference.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
The war has sharpened that contest, by showing once again how vulnerable the global economy is to shocks emanating from the Middle East.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
This can-do attitude has been driving Krier since her pioneer upbringing in North Dakota — and was sharpened during her career as a Boeing engineer building B-17 and B-29 bombers during World War II.
—Karla Marie Sanford, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
The pope did not name specific political leaders but has steadily sharpened his criticism of the war in recent weeks, repeatedly calling for an immediate ceasefire.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Originally presented as a technical overhaul of the justice system, the reform has sharpened political divisions and unified the center‑left opposition, turning the referendum into a symbolic showdown on Meloni's strength one year ahead of national elections.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Originally presented as a technical overhaul of the justice system, the reform has sharpened political divisions and unified the center‑left opposition, turning the referendum into a symbolic showdown on Meloni’s strength one year ahead of national elections.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Lessons are sharpened by the wild environment they’re learned in.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpened
Adjective
-
The first was a gentle bell curve; the second was a jagged line, with two sharp peaks—one on the left, the other on the right.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The 5-foot-9 rookie infielder looks like a special hitter with sharp instincts on the basepaths.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jackson Shusda pitched a complete game with 12 strikeouts and allowed only three hits as Dover-Sherborn edged Millis 4-3 in the Tri-Valley League.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Nick Fortes hit a tiebreaking two-out double off Trevor Megill in the ninth inning as the Tampa Bay Rays edged the Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 on Monday night.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Offseason acquisition Isaac Collins grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
-
This industrial halt will be compounded by a global transportation freeze, as soaring jet and bunker fuel premiums ground commercial aviation and maritime shipping, effectively ending the era of low-cost, just-in-time logistics.—
Siddharth Misra,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kansas City councilman Nathan Willett also filed to run for the seat after Graves’ announcement.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
McKnight filed for custody of Dominique and her sibling in 2020, The Charlotte Observer reported previously.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The green Rio Grande rests like a ribbon in the jaws of jagged canyons.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The first was a gentle bell curve; the second was a jagged line, with two sharp peaks—one on the left, the other on the right.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sharpened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpened. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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