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

In a closed-door briefing with House Republicans, aides pressed lawmakers to sharpen their pitch to skeptical voters and lean into new messaging that centers on “working families,” according to a report from Politico.

From Salon

“There has to be a point where that has to be sharpened,” Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times

Walters hopes a closely fought NRL play-off series will sharpen up his players for the rigours of a tour against an England side who have dispatched Tonga and Samoa in successive series.

From BBC

Those concerns were sharpened at a moment when L.A.’s future as a film capital is in peril.

From Los Angeles Times

Oregano, especially in its dried form — which sharpens and intensifies into something almost resinous, unlike its greener, more delicate fresh counterpart — has become the backbone of my pantry cooking.

From Salon

Related Words

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