Examples of sharpen in a Sentence
Can you sharpen the image?
The lecture sharpened my understanding of the topic.
The outlines of the mountains sharpened as we got closer.
Recent Examples on the Web
With few clear policy differences separating the candidates on either side, the matchups are being driven largely by personality, sharpened by TV ads, fundraising muscle and the machinery of endorsements and turnout.
—
Gromer Jeffers Jr.
political, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
The president framed Budanov’s appointment as part of a broader effort to sharpen the focus on security, defense development and diplomacy.
—Illia Novikov, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Zelensky has framed the move as part of a broader effort to sharpen the focus on security, defense development and diplomacy.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Henry David Thoreau’s New Year’s Day journal entries, published in The Atlantic in 1885, articulate how winter can sharpen a person’s senses.
—Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sharpen
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Gromer Jeffers Jr.
political, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
The president framed Budanov’s appointment as part of a broader effort to sharpen the focus on security, defense development and diplomacy.
—Illia Novikov, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Zelensky has framed the move as part of a broader effort to sharpen the focus on security, defense development and diplomacy.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Henry David Thoreau’s New Year’s Day journal entries, published in The Atlantic in 1885, articulate how winter can sharpen a person’s senses.
—Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sharpen
Cite this Entry
“Sharpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sharpen. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sharpen
verb
sharp·en
ˈshär-pən 
sharpened; sharpening
ˈshärp-(ə-)niŋ
1
: to make or become sharp or sharper
sharpen a pencil
a better lens sharpened the image
pain that suddenly sharpened
2
: improve
sharpen one's skills
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share