sharpen

verb

sharp·​en ˈshär-pən How to pronounce sharpen (audio)
sharpened; sharpening ˈshär-pə-niŋ How to pronounce sharpen (audio)
ˈshärp-niŋ
Synonyms of sharpennext

transitive verb

: to make sharp or sharper
especially : hone

intransitive verb

: to become sharp or sharper
sharpener
ˈshär-pə-nər How to pronounce sharpen (audio)
ˈshärp-nər
noun

Synonyms of sharpen

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Examples of sharpen in a Sentence

Can you sharpen the image? The lecture sharpened my understanding of the topic. The outlines of the mountains sharpened as we got closer.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The passage of time has only sharpened the lessons of Entebbe for me. — Anne Neuberger, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 Put another way, salt sharpens the tomato-y-ness of a tomato. — Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 The attention to sharpening those skills could be paying off. — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 Loose waves and smudged eye makeup, sharpened with pink at the inner corners, kept the effect closer to one of her stage looks. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sharpen

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of sharpen was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing sharpen

Rhymes for sharpen

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Browse Nearby Words

shar-pei
sharpen
sharpener
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Cite this Entry

“Sharpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sharpen. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sharpen

verb
sharp·​en ˈshär-pən How to pronounce sharpen (audio)
sharpened; sharpening ˈshärp-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce sharpen (audio)
1
: to make or become sharp or sharper
sharpen a pencil
a better lens sharpened the image
pain that suddenly sharpened
2
: improve
sharpen one's skills
sharpener
ˈshärp-(ə-)nər How to pronounce sharpen (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sharpen

Nglish: Translation of sharpen for Spanish Speakers

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