1
as in sharpening
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rubbing
to make smooth by friction
honed the edge of the axe until it was amazingly sharp
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Recent Examples of honing
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
After a relatively quiet beginning to the year sitting alone in her tower, just honing her powers — and yes, dancing the night away at the Grammys and making her second Super Bowl appearance — Taylor Swift called upon us to pledge allegiance to her hands, her team and her vibes in 2025.
—Denise Warner, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2026
Beijing is certainly honing its capabilities with AI at the fore.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
Goepper spent the better part of a year honing it at Rollerblade Ranch, eyeing the Olympics as the ultimate stage for his reveal.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
As Alvarado explores repeatedly, Valdez rejected that pathway, instead honing his indigenous roots, and dedicating his life to exalting those who, like him, exist in the in-between.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Demonstrating the autonomy required for successful online learning, Cushing manages her academic responsibilities with minimal guidance, consistently meeting high expectations while simultaneously honing her creative craft.
—Darla Rivera, Oklahoman, 19 Jan. 2026
In the mid-2000s, the brothers started out street performing, honing their skills and finding fans out in the world by putting in the hours.
—Anhar Karim, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
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
After a relatively quiet beginning to the year sitting alone in her tower, just honing her powers — and yes, dancing the night away at the Grammys and making her second Super Bowl appearance — Taylor Swift called upon us to pledge allegiance to her hands, her team and her vibes in 2025.
—Denise Warner, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2026
Beijing is certainly honing its capabilities with AI at the fore.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
Goepper spent the better part of a year honing it at Rollerblade Ranch, eyeing the Olympics as the ultimate stage for his reveal.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
As Alvarado explores repeatedly, Valdez rejected that pathway, instead honing his indigenous roots, and dedicating his life to exalting those who, like him, exist in the in-between.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Demonstrating the autonomy required for successful online learning, Cushing manages her academic responsibilities with minimal guidance, consistently meeting high expectations while simultaneously honing her creative craft.
—Darla Rivera, Oklahoman, 19 Jan. 2026
In the mid-2000s, the brothers started out street performing, honing their skills and finding fans out in the world by putting in the hours.
—Anhar Karim, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honing
Verb
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Modern folding saws are effective for larger branches and have replaceable blades, eliminating the need for sharpening.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Mercury fuses with Pluto in your money zone, sharpening budget choices and prompting frank talks about fair compensation.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Finally, disinfect the tools by wiping the blades with a cloth dampened with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
-
When the hook comes back around, he’s still posted in that corner, this time rubbing his hands together like a Birdman reaction gif.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Many came from grinding poverty and squalor.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
For Jones, doing his part meant observing, which led to at least four officers jumping on his back, handcuffing him, crushing his legs, and grinding his forehead into the frozen concrete.—
Evan Minsker,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After polishing the piece, rinse it well and wash it with dish soap and water again to ensure all the cream is removed.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
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This gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly exfoliating sugar scrub helps to melt away makeup, excess oil, and buildup, all while buffing and polishing without stripping the skin.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For example, individual filers can receive up to $994, couples filing jointly can receive $1,491, and those providing essential care to SSI recipients can receive up to $498.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Feb. 2026
-
In recent years, parents have increasingly resorted to filing complaints with the state, alleging that their school districts violated federal disability law.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Before those efforts, crews will continue sanding operations around the city to treat roads this week.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Finally, to ensure the doors are working smoothly, Sibley suggests applying high-quality car wax to the aluminum, buffing off the wax with a microfiber towel, and then finishing with a light coat of WD40 or Silicone spray on the rollers.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
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For extra shine, Sokolowski suggests buffing lightly with a dry cloth.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Honing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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