as in sharpened
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something
using a finely honed butcher knife will make cutting meat easier
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in whetted
to make sharp or sharper
honed the knife's blade to razor-like sharpness honed his crossword-puzzle skills by reading the dictionary as though it were a thrilling novel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rubbed
to make smooth by friction
honed the edge of the axe until it was amazingly sharp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of honed
Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 June 2026
And while the hours and hours of practice certainly honed the sisters’ skills, their parents can’t explain where the girls got their immense physical gifts.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
From growing up in the circus to working with Richard Pryor as a film student to preserving music history, the director has honed a distinct corner of cinema.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 May 2026
His players believe those communication skills honed as a radio host are a big reason behind their success.
—Bob Pompeani, CBS News, 27 May 2026
And why not make Lohner a red-zone target with his vertical leap honed from his basketball background?
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
Born on May 23, 1933 in Paddington, London, Collins honed her acting skills at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in her teens.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
This balance of instinct, creativity and discipline has been honed through experiences that have led Cerrato through Montblanc, Panerai, Tudor, HYT and, most recently, to the helm of Bremont.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 23 May 2026
But Ahangarani’s skill as a story teller, honed over a three-decade acting career including more than 40 features, and through directing a number of documentary shorts, is clear to see.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 16 May 2026
Verb
It will be anchored by the brilliant Melissa Hancock, who will bring her deep expertise on global and regional business trends honed via a stellar career writing for the Middle East Economic Digest, Arabian Gulf Business Insight, and The Banker, part of the FT group.
—Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 June 2026
And while the hours and hours of practice certainly honed the sisters’ skills, their parents can’t explain where the girls got their immense physical gifts.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
From growing up in the circus to working with Richard Pryor as a film student to preserving music history, the director has honed a distinct corner of cinema.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 May 2026
His players believe those communication skills honed as a radio host are a big reason behind their success.
—Bob Pompeani, CBS News, 27 May 2026
And why not make Lohner a red-zone target with his vertical leap honed from his basketball background?
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
Born on May 23, 1933 in Paddington, London, Collins honed her acting skills at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in her teens.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
This balance of instinct, creativity and discipline has been honed through experiences that have led Cerrato through Montblanc, Panerai, Tudor, HYT and, most recently, to the helm of Bremont.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 23 May 2026
But Ahangarani’s skill as a story teller, honed over a three-decade acting career including more than 40 features, and through directing a number of documentary shorts, is clear to see.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 16 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honed
Verb
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Energy security in focus The war’s disruption to the Strait of Hormuz has sharpened focus on energy security around the world and comes on the heels of the energy crisis sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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Nilsson sharpened this approach throughout the ’80s and early ’90s.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The reef fish was often rubbed with salt and mixed with seaweed and a traditional candlenut relish called inamona.—
Sylvie Bigar,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
And that really rubbed committee members last cycle the wrong way and may have worked against them.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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The entrepreneurs best positioned for the years ahead aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets or the sharpest marketing.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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Fishermen say increasing competition has spurred a sharp rise in armed conflict, especially between fisherfolk from the Turkana and Dassanech ethnic groups.—
Tommy Trenchard,
NPR,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Waldorf was used to seeing Shackelford addressing staff at the front of a conference room, polished in a suit and tie.—
Kavitha Surana,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
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The lightweight fabric is breathable while still offering the same relaxed-yet-polished look as the cashmere style.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Additionally, Hunt filed more false returns in his own name to seek additional fraudulent refunds.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
-
The congressman wrote that a parent filed a complaint alleging the school system violated her daughter’s civil rights under Title IX by allowing transgender students to use girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Honed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honed. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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