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
Maggie Hennessy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025
Since the Spring, campaign promises have sharpened into policy proposals, new agency leaders have begun implementing sweeping changes, and global health developments are reshaping the definitions of patient access and care.
—The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025
Since signing to Matador, the band has sharpened its sound into a quirky, exhilarated alt-pop, too uncanny to be dance-punk and too lively to be slacker rock.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Queen Latifah sharpened her tailoring with beige slingbacks in New York last month.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Richard and Grace was founded on the philosophy that with chaos comes unity, a belief Allen sharpened in moments of global protest, from Black Lives Matter to Palestine.
—Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
At the same time, Tesla’s core EV business has faced headwinds in 2025, including large market-cap declines and profitability pressure that have sharpened scrutiny of whether Optimus can deliver commercial returns at scale.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Since primary, Grijalva sharpened progressive tone Since the July 15 primary, Grijalva has only sharpened her progressive tone.
—Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
As Israel mobilizes an additional 60,000 reservists for its Gaza City offensive, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a showdown over mandatory military service for the Ultra-Orthodox community, a debate sharpened by the strain on reservists pulled from their families for months at a time.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
This uncomfortable truth sharpened recently when a friend shared her pet peeve about cell phones on the table when dining out with companions.
—Maggie Hennessy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025
Since the Spring, campaign promises have sharpened into policy proposals, new agency leaders have begun implementing sweeping changes, and global health developments are reshaping the definitions of patient access and care.
—The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025
Since signing to Matador, the band has sharpened its sound into a quirky, exhilarated alt-pop, too uncanny to be dance-punk and too lively to be slacker rock.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Queen Latifah sharpened her tailoring with beige slingbacks in New York last month.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Richard and Grace was founded on the philosophy that with chaos comes unity, a belief Allen sharpened in moments of global protest, from Black Lives Matter to Palestine.
—Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
At the same time, Tesla’s core EV business has faced headwinds in 2025, including large market-cap declines and profitability pressure that have sharpened scrutiny of whether Optimus can deliver commercial returns at scale.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Since primary, Grijalva sharpened progressive tone Since the July 15 primary, Grijalva has only sharpened her progressive tone.
—Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
As Israel mobilizes an additional 60,000 reservists for its Gaza City offensive, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a showdown over mandatory military service for the Ultra-Orthodox community, a debate sharpened by the strain on reservists pulled from their families for months at a time.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpened
Adjective
-
His positioning and reading of the game remain sharp, his footwork is clean, and his reactions are quick.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
From the 1960s through the 2000s, no one skewered a crowd with sharper affection.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Yields on government bonds in France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Japan also edged lower.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Still, Swift’s straight sales edged Adele’s by only about 100,000, and Adele didn’t have the wind of myriad vinyl variants in her sales sails.—
Eric Renner Brown,
Billboard,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As Jeff and Arj stumble through each other’s lives, the timepieces highlight who’s in control, who’s grounded, and who’s scrambling.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
17 Oct. 2025
-
While his stock is rocketing around the world, the skateboarding sensation remains humble, grounded by those who know him best.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Jones filed to run for the Zone 4 board seat in 2020, but bowed out of the race prior to the election.—
Edward McKinnon,
Arkansas Online,
16 Oct. 2025
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Orbison's lawsuit was filed a day after a similar suit by a Rutherford County teacher fired over her social media posts following Kirk's death.—
Rachel Wegner,
Nashville Tennessean,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Maah Daah Hey Trail runs for 144 miles, offering some of the best exposure to what’s left of the country’s majestic grasslands, plus surprisingly jagged peaks, rugged plateaus, and ample river crossings.—
Jacqueline Kehoe,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
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Its alpine-style streets, surrounded by jagged peaks, are lined with breweries and boutique shops.—
Chantelle Kincy,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sharpened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpened. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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