as in sharp
having an edge thin enough to cut or pierce something
the sharpened blade of a lawn mower
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Recent Examples of sharpened
Howard Walker, Robb Report, 13 May 2026
Those close to Kate say her perspective has sharpened since her recovery from cancer, with aides describing a new intensity and focus around her early years mission.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
As fires grew larger and burned more intensely, recreational losses sharpened.
—Kyle Manley, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
That dual perspective sharpened his awareness of identity and access.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
The exit comes as global agencies face growing criticism for relying on offshore models that some African leaders and policymakers say misread local realities — a debate sharpened just this year by Afreximbank’s public break with Fitch.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 4 May 2026
Throw in the rise of AI—and mounting uncertainty about whether some entry-level jobs will even exist in the future—and questions have sharpened about whether colleges and universities have adapted fast enough to meet shifting workforce needs.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 3 May 2026
The skills learned or sharpened in these classes can be lifesaving.
—Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Damage to the blade may indicate that the lawn mower blades should be sharpened or replaced as soon as possible, depending on the severity.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Verb
Better brakes and new rack and pinion steering, instead of a crude recirculating ball setup, also sharpened the car’s handling.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 13 May 2026
Those close to Kate say her perspective has sharpened since her recovery from cancer, with aides describing a new intensity and focus around her early years mission.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
As fires grew larger and burned more intensely, recreational losses sharpened.
—Kyle Manley, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
That dual perspective sharpened his awareness of identity and access.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
The exit comes as global agencies face growing criticism for relying on offshore models that some African leaders and policymakers say misread local realities — a debate sharpened just this year by Afreximbank’s public break with Fitch.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 4 May 2026
Throw in the rise of AI—and mounting uncertainty about whether some entry-level jobs will even exist in the future—and questions have sharpened about whether colleges and universities have adapted fast enough to meet shifting workforce needs.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 3 May 2026
The skills learned or sharpened in these classes can be lifesaving.
—Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Damage to the blade may indicate that the lawn mower blades should be sharpened or replaced as soon as possible, depending on the severity.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharpened
Adjective
-
Double-bass glissandos hint at hands grubbing in the earth, while abrupt moments of concerted action—notably, an accordion wheezing out an F-sharp-minor chord—suggest flickering signals and transmissions.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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The summit will take place amid a sharp sell-off in global bond markets.—
Hugh Leask,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Oil prices edged back up toward $100 a barrel in early trading Monday, with West Texas Intermediate futures last up nearly 2%, close to $97 per barrel.—
Sean Conlon,Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
-
Woodbridge girls edged San Clemente 209-205 for second, the Warriors’ best finish since their runner-up trophy in 2016.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
And Weaver ended the inning by getting Anthony Volpe to ground into a forceout, preserving the Mets’ two-run lead in improbable fashion.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
-
But at the center of it all is Navarrette, whose fearless turn grounds the film’s shocking premise in something both heartbreaking and haunting.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The Placer County District Attorney’s Office has formally filed a charge of accessory against Lawhead-Steele.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
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That argument is now central to a lawsuit filed by the Save City Hall Coalition, which claims the city failed to properly maintain the building as required by law.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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But the storms that lash the unpeopled coasts and jagged mountains of our Fiftieth State are no respecters of men, even the best of us.—
Ben East,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
-
From the beginning, the Palisades, with its Mediterranean climate and jagged coastline, lured the most adventurous of settlers, each generation reshaping it in its own image.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sharpened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharpened. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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