sharpens

Definition of sharpensnext
present tense third-person singular of sharpen
as in grinds
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sharpens But that ambiguity only sharpens the point. Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026 This means, after what might have felt like weeks of overthinking, second-guessing or sitting in limbo, your mindset finally sharpens. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026 Wearing a button-down shirt instantly sharpens an ensemble and gives denim, especially, a much clearer direction. Alex Sales, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2026 Capricorn December 22 – January 19 By afternoon, your focus sharpens on goals. Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026 December 22 – January 19 By afternoon, your focus sharpens on goals. Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026 March 21 – April 19 Aries, your focus sharpens around practical moves. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026 If your electric sharpener only sharpens to a 15º angle, don't worry. Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026 The political reality only sharpens the point. Joe Hardy, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpens
Verb
  • Company executives often meet with clients at Wilson's Sandwich Shop, a Depression-era favorite that still cuts and grinds its hamburger in-house from local cattle.
    Dean Narciso, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
  • While passengers, for the most part, do their best to extend common courtesy to airline staff, there’s one boarding habit that, unbeknownst to passengers, grinds the gears of flight attendants who are preparing for departure.
    Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The company has hit a $30 billion annual revenue run rate—a figure that implies a 58% revenue surge in March alone, and edges past the $25 billion run rate OpenAI reported in February.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The study also showed that in France, Netflix edges YouTube as first choice of video service by a thin margin (18% and 12%, respectively).
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Victor Wembanyama hones his own brand of basketball daily.
    James Jackson, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Both films revolved around Mitchie (Lovato), who hones her vocal talents at the camp alongside the Gray brothers Shane (Joe Jonas), Nate (Nick Jonas), and Jason (Kevin Jonas).
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sharpens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpens. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

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