Synonyms

sharpen

American

[shahr-puhn] / ˈʃɑr pən /

verb (used with or without object)

to make or become sharp or sharper. sharp.

sharpen British

/ ˈʃɑːpən /

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of sharpen

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The brand is sharpening its focus, Bickley said on the call.

From The Wall Street Journal

There are lots of exercises for sharpening proprioception, but the surfing doctor is partial to bodies of water.

From Los Angeles Times

That prospect sharpens the contradiction at the heart of South African Test cricket.

From BBC

Instead of directly sharpening focus, the drugs appear to increase engagement with tasks.

From Science Daily

Investors said Nestlé is overdue a shake-up and should also sharpen its governance after two chaotic CEO changes in a year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023