1
as in to sharpen
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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2
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction
honed the edge of the axe until it was amazingly sharp
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hone
That personalized experience includes course study specifically honed to fit the program and the future of space travel.
—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
Instead, taking to the road or TikTok and YouTube to hone their craft and build fan followings with an eye to global stand-up touring has become the pinnacle of the comedy profession.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2025
Other game modes include a clutch mode where a player’s skills can be honed and tested.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2025
Instead, its parent company, Technip Energies, will leverage the expertise of its fellow subsidiary Zimmer Polymer Technologies, which has been honing polyester production for the past seven decades.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hone
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
Instead, taking to the road or TikTok and YouTube to hone their craft and build fan followings with an eye to global stand-up touring has become the pinnacle of the comedy profession.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2025
Other game modes include a clutch mode where a player’s skills can be honed and tested.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 21 May 2025
Instead, its parent company, Technip Energies, will leverage the expertise of its fellow subsidiary Zimmer Polymer Technologies, which has been honing polyester production for the past seven decades.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hone
Verb
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Players slid into second with their spikes high (and sometimes even sharpened).—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
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Not just to sharpen his routes but to sharpen his message.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
3 June 2025
Verb
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So in the long run, even somewhere like Oxford won't be rubbing their hands with glee if life is harder for Harvard — because Oxford and Harvard do projects together.—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
5 June 2025
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Privately, Musk rubbed a number of senior officials the wrong way during his time in government, and his complaints about a key legislative goal may further agitate his critics in the administration.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Elevated by fluted panels and a duo of discreet storage drawers, its look is polished enough to nimbly complement non-office settings.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
3 June 2025
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The formal coupes are polished using specialty techniques to reveal a reflective, opalescent finish.—
Maria Conti,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
Verb
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The Middle East is no stranger to sand and dust storms.—
Sanam Mahoozi,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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Then it must be sanded smooth and weatherproofed before being decorated.—
Beth Lipoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Since Hamas’s devastating attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel’s large-scale response, pro-Palestinian protests spread across the United States, including at Israeli consulates and college campuses, during the grinding conflict in Gaza.—
Adam Goldman,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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That impacts many young players like Pak, who are grinding, just trying to survive on tour.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Neither Blanco nor federal prosecutors have filed motions since the jurors testified, though they are expected to do so in the coming months with arguments about whether Patron should be granted a new trial.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 June 2025
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Earlier this week, Robinson and his wife filed a $500 million cross-complaint against the former staff members.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hone. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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