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
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
Sympathy is a knife—and Charli XCX may be sharpening hers.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 5 Oct. 2025
Trump’s actions are sharpening critics’ fears about creeping authoritarianism.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 5 Oct. 2025
The scratching posts are lined with sistal ropes for scratching and sharpening claws while the rest areas are soft and warm, perfect for an afternoon siesta.
—Christine Persaud, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
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
Sympathy is a knife—and Charli XCX may be sharpening hers.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 5 Oct. 2025
Trump’s actions are sharpening critics’ fears about creeping authoritarianism.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 5 Oct. 2025
The scratching posts are lined with sistal ropes for scratching and sharpening claws while the rest areas are soft and warm, perfect for an afternoon siesta.
—Christine Persaud, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpening
Verb
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That hypnotizing aroma may be one thing, but there is actually a science to grinding coffee.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
15 Oct. 2025
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But the patient, grinding work of peace implementation typically bores him.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The series will launch on YouTube later this year, honing and building IP.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
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Freshman year is about discovering passions and honing talent.—
RACHEL SPECTOR,
Miami Herald,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sharpening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpening. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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