sharpen

/ˈʃɑrpən/

/ˈʃɑpən/

Other forms: sharpened; sharpening; sharpens

Definitions of sharpen

1. verb

   make sharp or sharper
   “sharpen the knives”

   antonyms:

   dull

   make dull or blunt

   types:

   strap

   sharpen with a strap

   edge

   provide with an edge

   strop

   sharpen on a strop

   whet

   sharpen by rubbing, as on a whetstone

   hone

   sharpen with a hone

   set

   give a fine, sharp edge to a knife or razor

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
2. verb

   make crisp or more crisp and precise
   “We had to sharpen our arguments”

   type of:

   compound, deepen, heighten, intensify

   make more intense, stronger, or more marked
3. verb

   become sharp or sharper
   “The debate sharpened”

   type of:

   deepen, intensify

   become more intense
4. verb

   give a point to
   synonyms: point, taper

   types:

   acuminate

   make sharp or acute; taper; make (something) come to a point

   type of:

   change form, change shape, deform

   assume a different shape or form
5. verb

   make (one's senses) more acute
   synonyms: heighten

   types:

   subtilise, subtilize

   make (senses) more keen

   type of:

   compound, deepen, heighten, intensify

   make more intense, stronger, or more marked
6. verb

   put (an image) into focus
   synonyms: focalise, focalize, focus

   types:

   refocus

   put again into focus or focus more sharply

   type of:

   adjust, correct, set

   alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
7. verb

   make (images or sounds) sharp or sharper
   antonyms:

   soften

   make (images or sounds) soft or softer

   types:

   focus

   cause to converge on or toward a central point

   refocus

   focus once again; The physicist refocused the light beam"

   type of:

   change intensity

   increase or decrease in intensity
8. verb

   raise the pitch of (musical notes)
   antonyms:

   flatten

   lower the pitch of (musical notes)

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation