SHARPEN Synonyms: 15 Similar and Opposite Words

sharpen

verb

ˈshär-pən

Definition of sharpen

as in to grind

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 sharpen The findings are likely to sharpen concerns about increasingly capable AI systems. — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 Their partnership also sharpened her already acute sense of humor. — Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 Born April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, England, Curry trained in drama at the University of Birmingham before sharpening his acting skills in theater. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026 Under the Arthēa name the company is sharpening its focus on making wellness and personal care accessible to more people. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sharpen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpen

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

While Rahma has learned how to steer his subway debates towards viral moments, the editing process has required the team to hone a knack for finding the story within otherwise chaotic conversations.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
The action star has been honing his tough, stoic hero bit for going on 25 years.

— Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of hone

Verb

Organizers have shared a partial list of vendors, to whet the public’s appetite.

— John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Like anticipation for an upcoming summer blockbuster movie, the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll whets the appetite for college football fans ahead of the teams returning to the field.

— Erick Smith, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of whet

Browse Nearby Words

sharped

sharpen

sharpened

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“Sharpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpen. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sharpen

verb

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