Synonyms of sharpening

sharpening

verb

present participle of sharpen

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grinding
• honing
• edging
• stropping
• stoning
• whetting
• filing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blunting
• dulling
• polishing
• smoothing
• rounding
• buffing
• burnishing
• glossing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sharpening

According to Disney, the hiring of Anand illustrates that D’Amaro is sharpening the company’s focus on technology as a growth driver. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Arik compared the process to repeatedly sharpening a pencil until only a tiny IKEA-style pencil remained. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

Past a certain point, more preparation buries the message instead of sharpening it. — Lynn Smith, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

The project unfolds amid court orders to add thousands of units on the 388-acre campus, sharpening questions over whether preserving historic buildings outweighs creating far more veteran housing. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Beyond that, sharpening a feel for when the initial danger has diminished should help the quarterback find a little extra time and space to reset and attack. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The plant contains mescaline, a psychoactive compound that alters perception and mood, sharpening the senses and amplifying feelings of empathy and connection. — Pardis Mahdavi, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026

Parks adds that sharpening your hearing by learning their calls can be one of the best ways to discover that an owl is living nearby. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026

The Sun conjoins Mercury in Virgo and your 1st House of Self, sharpening your voice, presence, choices, and personal direction. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026