hone

verb

ˈhōn How to pronounce hone (audio)
Definition of honenext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hone Natural quartzite, honed marble, or soapstone are all great options to replace outdated white quartz. — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026 While Rahma has learned how to steer his subway debates towards viral moments, the editing process has required the team to hone a knack for finding the story within otherwise chaotic conversations. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026 The action star has been honing his tough, stoic hero bit for going on 25 years. — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 The remarkable animals have been part of an APOPO training program in Tanzania for nearly 30 years, spending most of their lifespan of roughly 8 years learning how to hone their innate smelling skills and working in the field. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hone
  1. sharpen
  2. rub
  3. polish
  4. sand
  5. grind
  6. file
Verb
  • These prescription stimulants can sharpen focus by prompting the brain to release more neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which play an important role in the body’s fight-or-flight response.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Sun conjoins Mercury in Virgo and your 1st House of Self, sharpening your voice, presence, choices, and personal direction.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sharpen
Verb
  • If the bracelet and watch rub against each other, scratches can occur very quickly.
    — Larissa Ratschkowski, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Rubbing Alcohol Head to the drug store for a bottle of 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to clean windows.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of rub
Verb
  • Don’t polish the life out of it before anyone gets to see it.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Some jobs that previously relied on hand craftsmanship but can now be automated made the top 10, including patternmakers and grinding and polishing workers.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of polish
Verb
  • For more than five decades, the brand has grown without sanding down the personality that made its original spaces memorable.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Clean and lightly sand the surface, then apply primer and thin, even coats of durable paint.
    — Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • The stock spent the fall of 2025 grinding higher along the rising 50-day, then broke into a completely different gear in the spring.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Finance ministers and central bank officials of G20 countries convene in Asheville, North Carolina on Monday and Tuesday as the US-Iran war grinds into its sixth month, raising inflation expectations and keeping energy prices elevated.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of grind
Verb
  • Thirteen days before Morissette’s lawsuit, Urinov filed her own claim against the singer in London’s King Bench Division, which handles cases of defamation, misuse of private information, data protection, and harassment by publication.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Woods’ attorney, Douglas Duncan, filed a document with Martin County Court on Tuesday calling for a change of plea hearing on Wednesday in front of Judge Darren Steele.
    — Bob Harkins, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of file

Browse Nearby Words

honchos
hone
honed
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Cite this Entry

“Hone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hone. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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