sharpen

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The difference is that in prediction markets, people are wagering actual money, which tends to sharpen the mind in ways that answering a pollster’s call during dinner does not.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

That looming deadline fueled a sense of urgency in Washington and Taipei and prompted both to sharpen their strategy and invest in their arsenals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Republicans held a retreat at Trump’s Doral resort in Florida earlier this week to figure out their policy agenda for the rest of the year and sharpen their message ahead of the midterm elections.

From Slate • Mar. 14, 2026

If that happens, “people should start to sharpen their pencils,” he says.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Each time I had to get up to sharpen it, I told myself I could just walk out of there.

From "The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine