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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Recent Examples of hone
Watch a movie about a legendary athlete who broke through the race barrier, test your science knowledge in a fun game, kids can hone their basketball skills and knowledge, support a good cause, see a play that skewers modern art or go to an arts and crafts convention.
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John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 20 Feb. 2025
Princess Kate, 43, launched the center in 2021 to raise awareness around the importance of the early years on the rest of a child's life, and the Shaping Us Framework was unveiled in early February as a new blueprint to hone that focus.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 17 Feb. 2025
Through perseverance and a constant drive to improve, Katherine realized the enigmatic world of programming languages was where her talent met practicality, inspiring her to hone her skills and later build a successful career within this space.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Gregg’s boundary-busting aesthetic draws from a wide variety of styles, honed from a storied performance career that started in Chicago.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hone
John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 20 Feb. 2025
Princess Kate, 43, launched the center in 2021 to raise awareness around the importance of the early years on the rest of a child's life, and the Shaping Us Framework was unveiled in early February as a new blueprint to hone that focus.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 17 Feb. 2025
Through perseverance and a constant drive to improve, Katherine realized the enigmatic world of programming languages was where her talent met practicality, inspiring her to hone her skills and later build a successful career within this space.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Gregg’s boundary-busting aesthetic draws from a wide variety of styles, honed from a storied performance career that started in Chicago.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hone
Verb
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That experience, combined with his own athletic background, sharpened his instincts for where the industry was headed.—
Mike Dojc,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
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And to no one’s surprise because, after years of political pragmatism bordering on apathy, Silicon Valley’s style of business thinking has sharpened to a social-ideological point.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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For dried or sticky grease, Marshall suggests switching to dish soap diluted in water and rubbing gently with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2025
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Should wooden parts continue to rub together, Ceja says a little wax, soap, or WD-40 can help reduce friction and keep things quiet.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Add those things to some of the improvement areas the Bears already identified for Williams — from polishing his footwork to better understanding protection plans to mastering his reads — and the to-do list is substantial.—
Dan Wiederer,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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The single-button power control is a favorite feature of our reviewer Williams, as well as the fluffy optic cleaner head that cleans and polishes her hard floors.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The dunes there would replace some rock riprap and plastic K-rails installed there by the city to keep waves and sand out of the paved lot.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, Kennedy appears to have gone to great lengths to sand down his extremist views and present himself as a more palatable candidate.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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It’s certified organic by the JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standards), which is recognized by the USDA, and it’s produced and ground into powder in Kagoshima, Japan.—
Lauryn Jiles,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
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Which country can field the best fiber-optic drones, and fastest, should have the edge as Russia’s wider war on Ukraine grinds into its fourth year.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Reset members will go onto the April 1 consolidated election, but no other candidates have filed.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
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Complainant may request an administrative hearing with the Division of Administrative Hearings by filing a Petition for Relief within 35 days of the date the determination was signed by the Executive Director.—
Matthew Klein,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to hone
Cite this Entry
“Hone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hone. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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