sharpen

verb

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

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

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.
Trump also sharpened his rhetoric toward the E.U., which has for decades been one of the closest U.S. allies. Carlo Angerer, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2025 The drills sharpen military readiness in the area while also rehearsing several armed conflict skills between the U.S. and South Korea in case of dire circumstances. Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Mar. 2025 Bottom line: Democrats remain in soul-searching mode ahead of 2026, but at least two of the Bay State's more vocal Trump critics are sharpening their messages in the hope that local and national voters will swing back blue. Mike Deehan, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025 But the cleavages in Romanian society and politics will be sharpened in the weeks ahead. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sharpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sharpen. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sharpen

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