sharpen
Origin of sharpen
1Other words from sharpen
- sharp·en·er, noun
- pre·sharp·en, verb (used with object)
- re·sharp·en, verb
- un·sharp·ened, adjective
- un·sharp·en·ing, adjective
- well-sharpened, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use sharpen in a sentence
The only problem was that when one of these trees reached the end of its natural life, bacteria and fungal spores got ready to decompose it, sharpening their knives.
Why Birds Can Fly Over Mount Everest - Issue 94: Evolving | Walter Murch | December 30, 2020 | NautilusThat edge was sharpened early, when he and future Celtics teammate Bill Russell won 55 straight games and two NCAA championships playing for the University of San Francisco.
K.C. Jones was a winner everywhere he went, including his time coaching the Bullets | George Solomon | December 26, 2020 | Washington PostIt has further sharpened existing inequalities and brought about major challenges for how we physically live and work together.
Future Cities: New Challenges Mean We Need to Reimagine the Look of Urban Landscapes | Nick Dunn | December 18, 2020 | Singularity HubThere won’t be that conversation without tension, conflict, but it sharpens us, and it makes us stronger.
Morning Report: New Mayor, Council Take Over | Voice of San Diego | December 11, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoPaul’s sphere of influence continues to expand as he sharpens his eye for win-win deals.
NBA free agency winners and losers: A tough weekend for the Wizards and Knicks | Ben Golliver | November 23, 2020 | Washington Post
The 1983 downing of KAL 007 sharpened American tensions with the Soviet Union to heights not seen since the Cuban missile crisis.
The Intern Who Birthed The KAL007 Conspiracy Theories | Tim Mak | September 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut as the civil conflict has sharpened, both sides are employing the renegade sharpshooters.
In terms of addressing veteran unemployment, Obama has evidently sharpened his focus in recent months.
But time and experience have mellowed the 54-year-old Oldman and sharpened his acting.
‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’: Oscar Nominees Gary Oldman and Peter Straughan | Lorenza Muñoz | February 15, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThis further sharpened the divide within the Republican Party.
Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, and GOP Rivals’ Ferocious Battle in Nevada Caucus | Ben Jacobs | February 2, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe conflict in Tom's puzzled heart sharpened that evening into dreadful edges that cut him mercilessly whichever way he turned.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodThe sharpened faculties have something of a lawyer's quickness in detecting a flaw in the indictment.
Children's Ways | James SullyIn spite of her sharpened wits, Mrs. Kaye smiled radiantly into Isabel's guileless eyes.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonAt the head they insert a bamboo knot, with its point well sharpened into two edges.
She ran her finger along the edge of the instrument—Gilbert, when at home, used to keep it nicely sharpened for her use.
The World Before Them | Susanna Moodie
British Dictionary definitions for sharpen
/ (ˈʃɑːpən) /
to make or become sharp or sharper
music to raise the pitch of (a note), esp by one chromatic semitone: Usual US and Canadian word: sharp
Derived forms of sharpen
- sharpener, noun
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
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