Definition of sharpennext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 sharpen Avoid mowing with dull blades; sharpen frequently. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026 Formal encounters of the trio would have sharpened them all. Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026 And there’s nothing like the disorienting effect of standing in darkness in an unfamiliar place to quicken the senses and sharpen the ear. Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026 Chris Ong, Seatrium’s CEO, sees the Iran conflict sharpening what specialists call the energy trilemma, or the trade-off between energy security, affordable supply, and environmental sustainability. Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sharpen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpen
Verb
  • The production, directed with the brooding fluidity that is David Cromer’s calling card, is most alive in the evolving dynamic between Nick and Jacki, whose romance happens by degrees then all at once before reality intervenes and the criminal justice bureaucracy grinds to a halt.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
  • And, over the weekend, that community showed up in the simplest way possible — side by side in a gym, grinding through a workout, and remembering the ones who didn’t make it home.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • To hone this look, honor the original architectural details in your own home.
    Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The Miami Hurricanes blitzed him a lot (60 pass-rush snaps), and Scott honed this skill, learning how to disguise and time up blitzes.
    Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • After guests whet their palate with the initial sparkling wine, the Cristaldi team brings out a sweet white wine.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • British Museum As excitement builds for the opening of the new Geffen Galleries at LACMA on Sunday (for priority members; May 4 for the general public), one’s appetite may be whetted to visit other museums.
    Arts Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sharpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpen. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on sharpen

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster