as in sharp
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something
the sharpened blade of a lawn mower
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Recent Examples of sharpened
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
These bouts of illness forced him into hours of quiet isolation but also sharpened his resolve and planted a deep seed of empathy.
—Liz McNeil, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
But narrowing the list from there gets tricky, inevitably leaving out talented players, including those who sharpened their skills during later professional careers.
—Doug Feinberg, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025
Universities are where cultural ideas are born and then sharpened through debate, and where engineers, nurses, poets, and artists learn their crafts.
—Nicholas Dirks, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
This uncomfortable truth sharpened recently when a friend shared her pet peeve about cell phones on the table when dining out with companions.
—Maggie Hennessy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025
Since the Spring, campaign promises have sharpened into policy proposals, new agency leaders have begun implementing sweeping changes, and global health developments are reshaping the definitions of patient access and care.
—The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025
Since signing to Matador, the band has sharpened its sound into a quirky, exhilarated alt-pop, too uncanny to be dance-punk and too lively to be slacker rock.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Queen Latifah sharpened her tailoring with beige slingbacks in New York last month.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
Make sure your blades are sharpened before the last cut of the season so the lawn goes into dormancy as healthy as possible.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
These bouts of illness forced him into hours of quiet isolation but also sharpened his resolve and planted a deep seed of empathy.
—Liz McNeil, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
But narrowing the list from there gets tricky, inevitably leaving out talented players, including those who sharpened their skills during later professional careers.
—Doug Feinberg, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025
Universities are where cultural ideas are born and then sharpened through debate, and where engineers, nurses, poets, and artists learn their crafts.
—Nicholas Dirks, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
This uncomfortable truth sharpened recently when a friend shared her pet peeve about cell phones on the table when dining out with companions.
—Maggie Hennessy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025
Since the Spring, campaign promises have sharpened into policy proposals, new agency leaders have begun implementing sweeping changes, and global health developments are reshaping the definitions of patient access and care.
—The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025
Since signing to Matador, the band has sharpened its sound into a quirky, exhilarated alt-pop, too uncanny to be dance-punk and too lively to be slacker rock.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Queen Latifah sharpened her tailoring with beige slingbacks in New York last month.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpened
Adjective
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Riding the ‘Bus’ Filip Gustavsson was really sharp again, giving the Wild a chance by keeping it close.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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The brow of the mountain represents Budj Bim’s forehead, the sharp basalt scoria rocks are the giant’s teeth, and the lava flows are his blood, which poured over the land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Field hockey Ella McCarthy scored a goal and dished an assist as Ipswich edged Hamilton-Wenham 2-1 in Cape Ann League action.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
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The Crunch Though attendance at Mipcom this year, edged up on 2024 – plays – the party looks well and truly over.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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All accommodations incorporate a mix of custom furnishings and vintage finds that ground the spaces in a traditional European aesthetic, but a playful mix of patterns adds a touch of whimsy.—
Sarah Bruning,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
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The aircraft remains grounded, and authorities will continue assessing any infrastructure damage, including to power lines and nearby property.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mallory's family filed a wrongful death suit against several members of the Murdaugh family in March 2019.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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Merit filed for Chapter 11 in July, amid financial problems and alleging that TBN had reneged on more than $100 million of financial responsibilities.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The morning light casts jagged shadows across the pink stone, catching the saguaro spines and illuminating them like desert saints.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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According to one tale, the devil escaped from hell and formed the jagged peaks in one day’s work.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sharpened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpened. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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