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
Relevance
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
That contrast only sharpens China’s advantage, where Beijing offers scale and direction, Europe risks eroding credibility.
—
Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Beyond the fun of construction, the set sharpens problem-solving and critical thinking skills while reinforcing STEM concepts in a way that feels hands-on and exciting.
—Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Neptune retrograde in Pisces sharpens spiritual intuition, and the Sun entering Scorpio on the 22nd intensifies your pursuit of authenticity.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
On the flip side, every new data point sharpens the predictive models guiding conservation, says Evgeny Zakharov, genomics director for the Center for Biodiversity Genomics.
—Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 29 Sep. 2025
Even if a dissenting perspective isn’t correct or better, dissent brings different views to the fore so that they can be debated, and that improves and sharpens arguments, options and outcomes.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, the essence of Mars in Scorpio sharpens your focus and heightens your passion around career matters.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Capital might fuel expansion, but the process also sharpens leadership skills, deepens industry relationships and often reveals operational blind spots.
—Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025
Here, the messenger planet sharpens our focus and general attunement, urging us to choose our words and actions carefully.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Beyond the fun of construction, the set sharpens problem-solving and critical thinking skills while reinforcing STEM concepts in a way that feels hands-on and exciting.
—Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Neptune retrograde in Pisces sharpens spiritual intuition, and the Sun entering Scorpio on the 22nd intensifies your pursuit of authenticity.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
On the flip side, every new data point sharpens the predictive models guiding conservation, says Evgeny Zakharov, genomics director for the Center for Biodiversity Genomics.
—Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 29 Sep. 2025
Even if a dissenting perspective isn’t correct or better, dissent brings different views to the fore so that they can be debated, and that improves and sharpens arguments, options and outcomes.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, the essence of Mars in Scorpio sharpens your focus and heightens your passion around career matters.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Capital might fuel expansion, but the process also sharpens leadership skills, deepens industry relationships and often reveals operational blind spots.
—Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025
Here, the messenger planet sharpens our focus and general attunement, urging us to choose our words and actions carefully.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpens
Verb
-
The White House is halting $18 billion in New York infrastructure funding due to concerns over diversity and inclusion practices and as the first day of a federal shutdown grinds government work to a halt.—
Gregory Korte,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
This all-in-one machine grinds and brews for maximum freshness, dispensing the perfect dose of caffeine each time.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The economy has slowed, weakening the labor market and forcing the Federal Reserve last week to trim its benchmark short-term interest rate by a quarter percentage point as inflation edges up and amid ongoing tariff uncertainty.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
-
But researchers in China have developed a 3D printable bio-active glass that edges closer to the bone’s resilience.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
To survive a ruthless winnowing—to go from one of about 16,000 high-school quarterbacks each year to one of the 10 good ones in the NFL to one of the three or so each generation who earn the Hall of Fame’s gold jacket—hones certain traits within them and strips others away.—
Seth Wickersham,
The Atlantic,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sharpens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpens. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share