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
Mercury fuses with Pluto in your money zone, sharpening budget choices and prompting frank talks about fair compensation.
—
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
So, why is a whetstone the better sharpening option?
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
Strategics keep sharpening their focus on India as a next frontier for beauty.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
The event allowed Democrats to outline overlapping priorities — including universal support for expanding Medicaid — while sharpening other differences in their platforms.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Besides cleaning it, sharpening the blades, and draining the gas, don’t overlook your mower’s oil.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
There are lots of exercises for sharpening proprioception, but the surfing doctor is partial to bodies of water.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
That means their approach keeps sharpening with real exposure rather than theoretical practice.
—Nia Bowers, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Per its official synopsis, the book includes tips on sharpening emotional and cognitive intelligence, as well as overcoming self-doubt and rejection.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
So, why is a whetstone the better sharpening option?
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
Strategics keep sharpening their focus on India as a next frontier for beauty.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
The event allowed Democrats to outline overlapping priorities — including universal support for expanding Medicaid — while sharpening other differences in their platforms.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Besides cleaning it, sharpening the blades, and draining the gas, don’t overlook your mower’s oil.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
There are lots of exercises for sharpening proprioception, but the surfing doctor is partial to bodies of water.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
That means their approach keeps sharpening with real exposure rather than theoretical practice.
—Nia Bowers, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Per its official synopsis, the book includes tips on sharpening emotional and cognitive intelligence, as well as overcoming self-doubt and rejection.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpening
Verb
-
Most entrepreneurs are grinding themselves into the ground following advice that wasn't made for them.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
At times, the noise of grinding gears can obscure the soprano whoops and wails of the preschoolers.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Beijing is certainly honing its capabilities with AI at the fore.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
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As Alvarado explores repeatedly, Valdez rejected that pathway, instead honing his indigenous roots, and dedicating his life to exalting those who, like him, exist in the in-between.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sharpening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpening. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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