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
Vance’s referral to the new National Fraud Enforcement Division sharpens scrutiny of the White House’s ‘war on fraud’ and fears the unit could be weaponized against Democratic opponents.
—
Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
The Aquarius Moon sharpens public visibility, so choose plain words that protect quality, scope, and timing.
—Pubsubhub User, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2026
Meanwhile, the TrueBlack glossy coating sharpens both images and text.
—Tony Hoffman, PC Magazine, 3 June 2026
This is a stabilizing influence that sharpens our self-awareness.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
Naming what’s happening inside sharpens awareness of the internal signals shaping your choices.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
That mindset simplifies his decision-making, sharpens perception and allows his performance to become more instinctive.
—Elise Devlin, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Share a silly story with family to restore warmth, and remember that joy sharpens focus as well as spreadsheets.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
The Sun in Gemini energizes your 5th House of Creativity, while Pluto in your sign sharpens your identity and presence.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
The Aquarius Moon sharpens public visibility, so choose plain words that protect quality, scope, and timing.
—Pubsubhub User, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2026
Meanwhile, the TrueBlack glossy coating sharpens both images and text.
—Tony Hoffman, PC Magazine, 3 June 2026
This is a stabilizing influence that sharpens our self-awareness.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
Naming what’s happening inside sharpens awareness of the internal signals shaping your choices.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
That mindset simplifies his decision-making, sharpens perception and allows his performance to become more instinctive.
—Elise Devlin, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Share a silly story with family to restore warmth, and remember that joy sharpens focus as well as spreadsheets.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
The Sun in Gemini energizes your 5th House of Creativity, while Pluto in your sign sharpens your identity and presence.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpens
Verb
-
At The Happy Crane, Parry gives the char siu treatment to rich Iberico pork jowl, steams and grinds his own rice for the crab rice roll, and tosses Monterey abalone and Jimmy Nardello peppers into a smoking wok with XO sauce.—
Becky Duffett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2026
-
Not necessarily that the basketball becomes easier, but each minute is so tense, both teams are so focused and each possession is so tight that the winner is often decided by which team — or player — can execute when the game grinds to a halt.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
However, the Emira edges past the Cayman in the pedal box.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
-
Skies will turn partly cloudy by afternoon, but the real weather shift comes Friday as tropical moisture from a Gulf disturbance edges closer.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 July 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 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
