1
as in to sharpen
to make sharp or sharper
honed the knife's blade to razor-like sharpness honed his crossword-puzzle skills by reading the dictionary as though it were a thrilling novel
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2
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction
honed the edge of the axe until it was amazingly sharp
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hone
For those looking for something more immersive, the gardens also hold tea workshops that focus on tea blending and fine honing your tea sensory skills.
—
Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Read on to learn why honing a resilience response can protect your heart long-term, and how to do just that.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 5 Feb. 2026
These international operations depend on bloodlines honed over generations by American breeders, law enforcement and animal welfare officials say.
—Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
To hone the model for a particular task, users sometimes rely on fine-tuning.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hone
Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Read on to learn why honing a resilience response can protect your heart long-term, and how to do just that.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 5 Feb. 2026
These international operations depend on bloodlines honed over generations by American breeders, law enforcement and animal welfare officials say.
—Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
To hone the model for a particular task, users sometimes rely on fine-tuning.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hone
Verb
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Customer data will drive our decisions, sharpening our edge in delivering what is most valuable to our audiences.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2026
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These concerns are sharpened by the shadow of Epstein, whose connections to powerful figures continue to surface.—
Lauryn Overhultz , Ashley Papa , Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the shoot unfolds, Clyde can be found affectionately rubbing Hayley’s hand, gently playing with the wedding band on her ring finger.—
Cierra Black,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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Wet both the pumice stone and the surface where the stain is, and gently rub the pumice over the stain in short strokes until the stain is gone.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Set the scene Set on a leafy corner of Recoleta, close enough to the action but removed from the tourist hubbub, Sofitel is polished without being stuffy, the kind of place where everyone looks put-together even at breakfast.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
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Many are polished enough to appear legitimate at first glance.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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To smooth rough wood, sand the handles with medium-grit sandpaper and rub them with linseed oil.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
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City of Dallas has only eight snow plows The city of Dallas has only eight snow plows and about 100 sanding trucks for 11,700 lane miles of roads, forcing it to prioritize.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These choppers fit together like puzzle pieces, allowing the animal to grind up tough, fibrous plants.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Hawke’s fifth nomination — his first in lead actor — feels like a career acknowledgment for decades of grinding in the Hollywood industry.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The union filed a grievance on Tuesday, alleging violations to a collective bargaining agreement.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
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The union filed the complaint Monday in a Massachusetts federal court.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hone. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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