sharpens

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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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
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
  • The Food Processor quickly chops, slices, and shreds a wide array of ingredients for unlimited culinary creations, while the Coffee & Spice Grinder efficiently grinds coffee beans, spices, and herbs for superior flavor and potency.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Some of the Summertime launch‘s most delicious harvests have already sold out, so don’t think too long or too hard about it before snagging everything that catches your eye… and whets your appetite.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • As certification edges closer, some investors are getting impatient.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 29 May 2026
  • Northgate edges Case Grande in baseball semifinal, shuts out Salesian to advance to softball final.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Chance the Rapper, another honoree, hones his influence and charity on young generations in his hometown through his organization Social Works Chicago, which works with mental health providers, the homeless, and public schools.
    Connor Greene, Time, 22 May 2026
  • But Highsmith hones the drama by putting us in Chester’s head.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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