as in sharpened
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something
using a finely honed butcher knife will make cutting meat easier
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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
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2
as in rubbed
to make smooth by friction
honed the edge of the axe until it was amazingly sharp
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Recent Examples of honed
Madeleine Parrish, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024
The majority are ‘Pro Home Cooks,’ people who have honed their skills in their own kitchens rather than restaurants or culinary schools.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024
The Ohio Republican has honed an image that the MAGA base loves — furious and willing to fight about it.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024
The security forces used tactics honed over decades of war with the FARC.
—Elizabeth Dickinson, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2024
Verb
These roles have honed my leadership and decision-making skills.
—Madeleine Parrish, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024
The majority are ‘Pro Home Cooks,’ people who have honed their skills in their own kitchens rather than restaurants or culinary schools.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024
The Ohio Republican has honed an image that the MAGA base loves — furious and willing to fight about it.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024
The security forces used tactics honed over decades of war with the FARC.
—Elizabeth Dickinson, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near honed
Cite this Entry
“Honed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honed. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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