as in sharp
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something
the sharpened blade of a lawn mower
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of sharpened
Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Nilsson sharpened this approach throughout the ’80s and early ’90s.
—Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
But the Iran war–now in its third month–has sharpened the incentive logic and reinforced the narrative.
—Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 June 2026
When was your competitive edge last tested and sharpened — evaluated against your peers in today’s fiercely competitive talent war?
—Jim Hebets, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
But Cretin-Derham Hall has been sharpened through Suburban East Conference play and rallied back from an early loss to Hill-Murray in sections with a pair of impressive wins over the Pioneers.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 June 2026
Subaru sharpened it, toughened it and elevated it.
—Tim Jackson, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
The controversy is unfolding in the run-up to France’s 2027 presidential election, in which the far-right Rassemblement National is expected to be a frontrunner — a backdrop that has sharpened anxieties across the cultural sector about concentrated media power.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 27 May 2026
That’s why Parsons sharpened its 2026 BFA show Sunday, by making access more exclusive, downsizing from 263 participants last year to 31.
—Ari Stark, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
Verb
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
Nilsson sharpened this approach throughout the ’80s and early ’90s.
—Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
But the Iran war–now in its third month–has sharpened the incentive logic and reinforced the narrative.
—Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 June 2026
When was your competitive edge last tested and sharpened — evaluated against your peers in today’s fiercely competitive talent war?
—Jim Hebets, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
But Cretin-Derham Hall has been sharpened through Suburban East Conference play and rallied back from an early loss to Hill-Murray in sections with a pair of impressive wins over the Pioneers.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 June 2026
Subaru sharpened it, toughened it and elevated it.
—Tim Jackson, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
The controversy is unfolding in the run-up to France’s 2027 presidential election, in which the far-right Rassemblement National is expected to be a frontrunner — a backdrop that has sharpened anxieties across the cultural sector about concentrated media power.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 27 May 2026
That’s why Parsons sharpened its 2026 BFA show Sunday, by making access more exclusive, downsizing from 263 participants last year to 31.
—Ari Stark, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpened
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Shares have edged down 3% in the year to date, underperforming the overall market.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
Only the one-bedroom villas have the atypical circular design, while the two-bedroom villas and the massive three-bedroom Ritz-Carlton Estate are straight-edged.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The neutral colors and pattern help ground your space and tie all of your furniture and decor together seamlessly.—
Better Homes & Gardens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 June 2026
-
Angel Cano popped out to second, Ty Rhoades struck out swinging and Cade Martin grounded out to third.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
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
Adjective
-
At Palisades State Park, striking red-pink Sioux quartzite cliffs jut up to 50 feet above Split Rock Creek, their jagged faces almost glowing against a backdrop of bucolic farmland.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Midwest Living,
4 June 2026
-
Rescuers knew that getting them out would not be easy in the face of jagged rocks, dirty water, near-zero visibility and the risk of panic.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sharpened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpened. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
