sharpen

[shahr-puhn]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become sharp or sharper. sharp.

sharpen

/ ˈʃɑːpən /

verb

1. to make or become sharp or sharper

2. Usual US and Canadian word: sharp. music to raise the pitch of (a note), esp by one chromatic semitone

Other Word Forms

• sharpener noun
• presharpen verb (used with object)
• resharpen verb
• unsharpened adjective
• unsharpening adjective
• well-sharpened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sharpen¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; sharp, -en ¹

Example Sentences

If nothing else, this exercise sharpens her conversation skills for job interviews.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

"Usually the opposition would have longer but the government collapse in popularity has happened so quickly it has sharpened focus on needing to have an alternative narrative," one Tory MP, first elected in 2024, said.

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This is why we are seeing a sharpening in the language and the policies being presented now.

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“But the old adage — iron sharpens iron. I do think we’re better for the adversity ... I’m excited for what’s to come.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her prose is infectiously funny, and her ability to satirize rich people paying silly amounts of money to be led to their souls has only sharpened.

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Related Words

• better 
• enhance 
• fine-tune 
• improve 
• perfect 
• polish 
• polish up