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

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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 Artificial intelligence only sharpens that opportunity. Maurizio Caio, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026 Here, a slouchy black pair sharpens baby-blue coords. Christina Holevas, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026 At the same time, part of career growth involves discernment ‒ deciding what feedback sharpens you and what belongs in the rearview mirror. Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026 The win also sharpens the Oscar math. Clayton Davis, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026 Scorpio October 23 – November 21 When depth calls, your focus sharpens naturally. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2026 The fact that fishing nets were found in these same deep-sea survey areas sharpens the urgency of that designation. Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026 That context sharpens what India is doing. Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026 Your intuition sharpens, your vision expands, and suddenly the future feels less abstract and more achievable. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpens
Verb
  • The dramatic move comes as shipping traffic grinds to an effective halt in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, amid fears of prolonged disruption to global trade.
    Dan Mangan,Garrett Downs,Leslie Josephs,Holly Ellyatt,Chloe Taylor,Sam Meredith,Azhar Sukri,Anniek Bao,Kevin Breuninger,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
  • But by the start of this season, our young capitalists have been flung further afield into new jobs and new places that stir up a vague sense of menace even before the actual danger of the plot grinds into action.
    Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • This reckless action puts American troops at risk and edges us toward a wider regional war.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Meanwhile South Sudan edges toward a humanitarian crisis.
    Alexanderia Baker-Haidara, semafor.com, 27 Feb. 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Sharpens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpens. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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