hone

verb

ˈhōn How to pronounce hone (audio)
Definition of honenext
1
as in to sharpen
to make sharp or sharper honed the knife's blade to razor-like sharpness honed his crossword-puzzle skills by reading the dictionary as though it were a thrilling novel

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction honed the edge of the axe until it was amazingly sharp

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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 hone But hawks on both sides are already casting this lull as an opportunity for both countries to hone their weapons for the next fight. — Gloria Xiong, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Law came up in fringe and musical theater in Britain, while Bateman honed his craft on the sets of many a multicam sitcom. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026 Silva asserted that most experienced creators who hone their focus on key brands and franchises know how to plug themselves in to the company’s priorities. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026 Waiting for his release Ramón Calderón told NPR his brother Homero is disciplined, a skill honed after years of playing soccer professionally. — Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hone
  1. sharpen
  2. rub
  3. polish
  4. sand
  5. grind
  6. file
Verb
  • These prescription stimulants can sharpen focus by prompting the brain to release more neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which play an important role in the body’s fight-or-flight response.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Sun conjoins Mercury in Virgo and your 1st House of Self, sharpening your voice, presence, choices, and personal direction.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sharpen
Verb
  • If the bracelet and watch rub against each other, scratches can occur very quickly.
    — Larissa Ratschkowski, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Rubbing Alcohol Head to the drug store for a bottle of 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to clean windows.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of rub
Verb
  • Weeks for the shiny new parts to be polished up before being put on the road.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Schedule the playful thing, polish one detail, and let simple consistency make fun feel more satisfying.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of polish
Verb
  • Lightly sand the handles of a pair of wood or bamboo salad servers, then rinse and dry them.
    — Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Before planting any hibiscus seeds, start by nicking or sanding the seeds using fine-grade sandpaper or the tip of a knife.
    — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • The stock spent the fall of 2025 grinding higher along the rising 50-day, then broke into a completely different gear in the spring.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Finance ministers and central bank officials of G20 countries convene in Asheville, North Carolina on Monday and Tuesday as the US-Iran war grinds into its sixth month, raising inflation expectations and keeping energy prices elevated.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of grind
Verb
  • Hackett's suit, filed by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, seeks compensatory and punitive damages and names Arellano in his individual capacity as the sole defendant.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Buckeye Institute – along with a number of other conservative groups that have filed supportive briefs – want the justices to also revisit a 2005 decision that affirmed a broad interpretation of Congress’s power to regulate interstate commerce.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of file

Browse Nearby Words

honchos
hone
honed
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Cite this Entry

“Hone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hone. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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