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 technology has the potential to help design and test drugs, optimize airline and logistics routes, or sharpen financial risk modeling for banks. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026 Specifically, Christie sharpened her attention to detail during her extensive pharmacy training for the Society of Apothecaries’ Assistant Examination in 1917. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026 China’s faster development cycles and greater capacity to move from laboratory to regulator to patient at scale mean that in some fields, Chinese entry will sharpen pressure on pricing, timelines, and standards. — Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Israeli and American leaders have been sharpening their threats before elections in both countries, while Iranian leaders have remained defiant. — Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 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
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