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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Watch a movie about a legendary athlete who broke through the race barrier, test your science knowledge in a fun game, kids can hone their basketball skills and knowledge, support a good cause, see a play that skewers modern art or go to an arts and crafts convention.
—
John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 20 Feb. 2025
Princess Kate, 43, launched the center in 2021 to raise awareness around the importance of the early years on the rest of a child's life, and the Shaping Us Framework was unveiled in early February as a new blueprint to hone that focus.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 17 Feb. 2025
Through perseverance and a constant drive to improve, Katherine realized the enigmatic world of programming languages was where her talent met practicality, inspiring her to hone her skills and later build a successful career within this space.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Gregg’s boundary-busting aesthetic draws from a wide variety of styles, honed from a storied performance career that started in Chicago.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hone
John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 20 Feb. 2025
Princess Kate, 43, launched the center in 2021 to raise awareness around the importance of the early years on the rest of a child's life, and the Shaping Us Framework was unveiled in early February as a new blueprint to hone that focus.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 17 Feb. 2025
Through perseverance and a constant drive to improve, Katherine realized the enigmatic world of programming languages was where her talent met practicality, inspiring her to hone her skills and later build a successful career within this space.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Gregg’s boundary-busting aesthetic draws from a wide variety of styles, honed from a storied performance career that started in Chicago.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hone
Verb
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The decline sharpened at the end of the month after the inauguration.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
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While roasting very wealthy American tourists is intrinsic to White Lotus, this season’s setting of Thailand and its focus on Buddhism are key to the larger story; the presence of these real traditions and beliefs only sharpens the satire in Mike White’s series.—
Alex Abad-Santos,
Vox,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Clean both hands between the fingers and fingertips, then rub the back of your fingers against your palms.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
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Someone in your network may rub you the wrong way today.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In one fell swoop, that verdict rejected decades of Madigan and his loyalists polishing the image of the once-mighty speaker as a politician above reproach, a statesman who never crossed the line, a lawyer with a personal code of conduct that kept him on the straight and narrow.—
Megan Crepeau,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2025
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Jenner’s nails were styled in a minimalist almond shape and polished in a cloudy, pink-nude manicure.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But any subversive edges have been sanded off this script, which is credited to five people.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2025
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Remove all doors and shelves before sanding, priming, and painting the cabinet base for a DIY island paint job.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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During the depths of the pandemic, Las Vegas’ blindingly bustling main boulevard jerked to a grinding halt that highlighted the unconventional traits of the world’s biggest entertainment mecca — like how the grand doors to Sin City’s extravagant resorts are never closed nor unstaffed.—
Leena Tailor,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Feb. 2025
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No Ukrainian officials were present at the meeting, which came as the beleaguered country is slowly but steadily losing ground against more numerous Russian troops in a grinding war that began nearly three years ago.—
Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports,
arkansasonline.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Reset members will go onto the April 1 consolidated election, but no other candidates have filed.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
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In May 2024, McIlroy filed for divorce but withdrew the filing a month later.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to hone
Cite this Entry
“Hone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hone. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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