as in grinding
to make sharp or sharper
you need to sharpen your penknife's blade frequently in order to be able to whittle properly
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Recent Examples of sharpening
That the film introduces the possibility the missile might prove to be a dud further deepens its sense of uncertainty, sharpening the fear and chaos around the decision-making process.
—
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Dressed in a plain baby blue spaghetti-strap top, the 31-year-old is having her glam squad ready her, meticulously curling her waist-length extensions and sharpening her cat-eye eyeliner.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
An impressive four-game winning streak followed a lopsided loss at Wazzu that had some natives not just restless but greasing skids and sharpening pitchforks.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025
This includes balancing light and color, sharpening details, and reducing noise.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Gass, who’s been CEO at Levi’s since January 2024, has been building on and sharpening the company’s efforts to expand its own direct-to-consumer business, which currently accounts for 46 percent of sales, and bring in more women shoppers.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
The new Tottenham coach has instilled a greater solidity and resilience in the side that looks to be an excellent foundation for long-term success, but those attacking tools will need sharpening in the short term.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
With 12 knives that slice, chop, and dice with minimal effort (and a sharpening blade to keep their edges pristine), whipping up more elaborate meals is a bit easier.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
What Happens Next The South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary is expected to become increasingly competitive, with candidates sharpening their policy pitches as voter awareness grows.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Dressed in a plain baby blue spaghetti-strap top, the 31-year-old is having her glam squad ready her, meticulously curling her waist-length extensions and sharpening her cat-eye eyeliner.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
An impressive four-game winning streak followed a lopsided loss at Wazzu that had some natives not just restless but greasing skids and sharpening pitchforks.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025
This includes balancing light and color, sharpening details, and reducing noise.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Gass, who’s been CEO at Levi’s since January 2024, has been building on and sharpening the company’s efforts to expand its own direct-to-consumer business, which currently accounts for 46 percent of sales, and bring in more women shoppers.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
The new Tottenham coach has instilled a greater solidity and resilience in the side that looks to be an excellent foundation for long-term success, but those attacking tools will need sharpening in the short term.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
With 12 knives that slice, chop, and dice with minimal effort (and a sharpening blade to keep their edges pristine), whipping up more elaborate meals is a bit easier.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
What Happens Next The South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary is expected to become increasingly competitive, with candidates sharpening their policy pitches as voter awareness grows.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpening
Verb
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And when daily wear and tear was simulated – through continuous electric-toothbrush abrasion equivalent to about a year of brushing, as well as chewing and grinding – the teeth actually had superior resistance to wear, fracture and acid attack compared with natural enamel.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Nov. 2025
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After more than a decade grinding in the pop machine, something about Zara Larsson finally clicked this summer.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each prospect will get additional playing time while honing their skills ahead of the 2026 campaign.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
3 Nov. 2025
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Drawing comparisons to Michael Jackson while honing lithe dancing skills and his supple tenor, Usher graduated from opener to solo headliner in 2002 with his 8701 Evolution Tour in support of his third studio album, 8701.—
Gail Mitchell,
Billboard,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sharpening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpening. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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