Sharpen
verb
To make or become sharp or sharper.
She sharpened her pencil.
verb
To make or become more clear, distinct, or definite.
His memory sharpened and he could recall her face very clearly.
verb
To increase or improve in intensity, keenness, or distinctness.
The cold air sharpened her senses.
verb
To heighten or intensify.
The urgency of his voice sharpened.
verb
To alter something so as to make it more up to date.
It's time to sharpen your digital skills.
verb
To provide a stimulus for the development of.
This experience will sharpen your business acumen.
Usage tips
Academic
verb
To make or become sharp or sharper.
She sharpened her pencil.
verb
To make or become more clear, distinct, or definite.
His memory sharpened and he could recall her face very clearly.
verb
To increase or improve in intensity, keenness, or distinctness.
The cold air sharpened her senses.
verb
To heighten or intensify.
The urgency of his voice sharpened.
verb
To alter something so as to make it more up to date.
It's time to sharpen your digital skills.
verb
To provide a stimulus for the development of.
This experience will sharpen your business acumen.
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 6
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Objects
Sharpen is often used when talking about making physical objects like knives or pencils pointier.
I need to sharpen my knife to slice these tomatoes.
Pro Tip 2/2Skill Improvement
The term can also refer to practicing and improving skills, similar to how one sharpens a tool.
You should sharpen your cooking skills.
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Objects
Sharpen is often used when talking about making physical objects like knives or pencils pointier.
I need to sharpen my knife to slice these tomatoes.
Pro Tip 2/2Skill Improvement
The term can also refer to practicing and improving skills, similar to how one sharpens a tool.
You should sharpen your cooking skills.
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Objects
Sharpen is often used when talking about making physical objects like knives or pencils pointier.
I need to sharpen my knife to slice these tomatoes.
Pro Tip 2/2Skill Improvement
The term can also refer to practicing and improving skills, similar to how one sharpens a tool.
You should sharpen your cooking skills.
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Video examples
An interview with the...
And so in that way, I think another way that we can support leaders is to struggle with us, but struggle with us politically, not personally. We can have disagreements without being disagreeable, but it's important for us to sharpen each other, so that we all can rise. That's beautiful, thank you.
Video examples
Why do cats act so...
that helped ensure the continuation of her species for millions of years before. In the wild, cats needed sharp claws for climbing, hunting, and self-defense. Sharpening their claws on nearby surfaces kept them conditioned and ready, helped stretch their back and leg muscles,
Video examples
Living Off the Land PIPE...
a throwing stick is a handmade wooden tool with a sharpened end when thrown sideways it is an effective hunting weapon for small games such as rabbits sidearm just like a martial arts punch is that spinning action of this stick that when it hits it creates all that force
Video examples
Cloudy climate change:...
Firstly, how cloudy was the pre-industrial climate? And, hence, how much have clouds changed due to human activities? That knowledge will help sharpen climate projections in the 21st century. And secondly, could the puzzling observations of solar climate variability
Video examples
Why do cats have...
So, why do we have round pupils? Elongated pupils help sharpen certain dimensions of an animal's vision. But scientists think that, for animals like us with circular pupils, this is a lower priority. Instead of seeing some elements of a scene in extreme focus,
Video examples
Teeth Chiseling PIPE...
worried about the pain in whatever life I think about that I won't get more beauty as his clan feast the shaman sharpens his tools for the main event when the chisel gets sharp it will be less painful for the person who is getting their teeth vile and it will
Video examples
Michael Sandel: Why we...
political voice and influence in campaigns -- when money comes to govern all of those things, inequality matters a great deal. And so the marketization of everything sharpens the sting of inequality
Video examples
Sharpening a Knife PIPE...
one thing that's really important to me in the kitchen is to have all my knives really sharp so I want to teach you how to sharpen your own knives in your own kitchen first step is to get a
Video examples
Born to sing PIPE Taylor...
over time my voice blossomed as my life's purpose rooted I was recognized and success came as my honed my skills I sharpen my tool a voice is a very
Video examples
Whale Shark PIPE Planet...
both sharpen tuna feast together
Video examples
An interview with the...
And so in that way, I think another way that we can support leaders is to struggle with us, but struggle with us politically, not personally. We can have disagreements without being disagreeable, but it's important for us to sharpen each other, so that we all can rise. That's beautiful, thank you.
Video examples
Why do cats act so...
that helped ensure the continuation of her species for millions of years before. In the wild, cats needed sharp claws for climbing, hunting, and self-defense. Sharpening their claws on nearby surfaces kept them conditioned and ready, helped stretch their back and leg muscles,
Video examples
Living Off the Land PIPE...
a throwing stick is a handmade wooden tool with a sharpened end when thrown sideways it is an effective hunting weapon for small games such as rabbits sidearm just like a martial arts punch is that spinning action of this stick that when it hits it creates all that force
Video examples
Cloudy climate change:...
Firstly, how cloudy was the pre-industrial climate? And, hence, how much have clouds changed due to human activities? That knowledge will help sharpen climate projections in the 21st century. And secondly, could the puzzling observations of solar climate variability
Video examples
Why do cats have...
So, why do we have round pupils? Elongated pupils help sharpen certain dimensions of an animal's vision. But scientists think that, for animals like us with circular pupils, this is a lower priority. Instead of seeing some elements of a scene in extreme focus,
Video examples
Teeth Chiseling PIPE...
worried about the pain in whatever life I think about that I won't get more beauty as his clan feast the shaman sharpens his tools for the main event when the chisel gets sharp it will be less painful for the person who is getting their teeth vile and it will
Video examples
Michael Sandel: Why we...
political voice and influence in campaigns -- when money comes to govern all of those things, inequality matters a great deal. And so the marketization of everything sharpens the sting of inequality
Video examples
Sharpening a Knife PIPE...
one thing that's really important to me in the kitchen is to have all my knives really sharp so I want to teach you how to sharpen your own knives in your own kitchen first step is to get a
Video examples
Born to sing PIPE Taylor...
over time my voice blossomed as my life's purpose rooted I was recognized and success came as my honed my skills I sharpen my tool a voice is a very
Video examples
Whale Shark PIPE Planet...
both sharpen tuna feast together
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Pope Francis
Argentinian Clergyman
Even today we raise our hand against our brother... We have perfected our weapons, our conscience has fallen asleep, and we have sharpened our ideas to justify ourselves as if it were normal we continue to sow destruction, pain, death. Violence and war lead only to death.
Quote examples
Hugh Jackman
Australian Actor
Meditation is all about the pursuit of nothingness. It's like the ultimate rest. It's better than the best sleep you've ever had. It's a quieting of the mind. It sharpens everything, especially your appreciation of your surroundings. It keeps life fresh.
Quote examples
Bruce Nauman
American Sculptor
And so I put down some of the things that he said, about keeping your tools sharpened and not letting them lie on the ground where they get hurt or get abused and dirty and can't find them. And some thoughts about how his father used to do things.
Quote examples
Patrisse Cullors
American Activist
I was trained within a black radical tradition that encouraged struggle within our own movements because it sharpens collective analysis - bringing us closer to the tools we need to achieve liberation.
Quote examples
Ravyn Lenae
American Musician
I think it is important to surround myself with artists who share the same goals and aspirations. This way, I am constantly encouraged to sharpen my craft and challenge myself.
Quote examples
Henri Matisse
French Artist
A young woman has young claws, well sharpened. If she has character, that is. And if she hasn't so much the worse for you.
Quote examples
Zora Neale Hurston
American Dramatist
I do not weep at the world I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.
Quote examples
Kevin Patterson
Canadian Writer
Solitude sharpens awareness of small pleasures otherwise lost.
Quote examples
Thomas Fuller
English Clergyman
Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it.
Quote examples
Bob Christo
Australian Actor
Meditation helps sharpen the mind.
Quote examples
Pope Francis
Argentinian Clergyman
Even today we raise our hand against our brother... We have perfected our weapons, our conscience has fallen asleep, and we have sharpened our ideas to justify ourselves as if it were normal we continue to sow destruction, pain, death. Violence and war lead only to death.
Quote examples
Hugh Jackman
Australian Actor
Meditation is all about the pursuit of nothingness. It's like the ultimate rest. It's better than the best sleep you've ever had. It's a quieting of the mind. It sharpens everything, especially your appreciation of your surroundings. It keeps life fresh.
Quote examples
Bruce Nauman
American Sculptor
And so I put down some of the things that he said, about keeping your tools sharpened and not letting them lie on the ground where they get hurt or get abused and dirty and can't find them. And some thoughts about how his father used to do things.
Quote examples
Patrisse Cullors
American Activist
I was trained within a black radical tradition that encouraged struggle within our own movements because it sharpens collective analysis - bringing us closer to the tools we need to achieve liberation.
Quote examples
Ravyn Lenae
American Musician
I think it is important to surround myself with artists who share the same goals and aspirations. This way, I am constantly encouraged to sharpen my craft and challenge myself.
Quote examples
Henri Matisse
French Artist
A young woman has young claws, well sharpened. If she has character, that is. And if she hasn't so much the worse for you.
Quote examples
Zora Neale Hurston
American Dramatist
I do not weep at the world I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.
Quote examples
Kevin Patterson
Canadian Writer
Solitude sharpens awareness of small pleasures otherwise lost.
Quote examples
Thomas Fuller
English Clergyman
Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it.
Quote examples
Bob Christo
Australian Actor
Meditation helps sharpen the mind.
Example 1 of 10
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