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
In addition to the Solar Skin, each catamaran's bimini area, the zone where shade is provided to the captain of the ship, comes equipped with photovoltaic cells that have been honed for shaded environments, pulling in the sun's energy.
—
Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
The athlete’s ability to shut out the massive Derby chaff and focus on the job at hand is one of the three great pillars, along with athletic talent honed by careful conditioning, that makes a Derby runner.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
This natural engineering, honed over hundreds of millions of years, is the reason sharks are among the most efficient swimmers in the ocean.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
An emerging playwright, director, or choreographer could hone their craft in a subsidized rehearsal space, apply for a residency somewhere in or near the city, or join a lab devoted to original works.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hone
Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
The athlete’s ability to shut out the massive Derby chaff and focus on the job at hand is one of the three great pillars, along with athletic talent honed by careful conditioning, that makes a Derby runner.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
This natural engineering, honed over hundreds of millions of years, is the reason sharks are among the most efficient swimmers in the ocean.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
An emerging playwright, director, or choreographer could hone their craft in a subsidized rehearsal space, apply for a residency somewhere in or near the city, or join a lab devoted to original works.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hone
Verb
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In that spirit, here are 11 essential tips to sharpen your skills, take the edge of the early slog, and unlock your full potential while going medieval on demons.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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That framework could be exactly what Mbappé needs to sharpen his decision-making and maximize his presence in the final third.—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Verb
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To reduce the risk of sticking or sacrificing any of your fish to the flames, rub the grill grates generously and preheat the grill well in advance.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2025
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It’s got a wide toe box, soft cushioning, and an upper that grips the ankles comfortably without rubbing the Achilles.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
11 May 2025
Verb
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Instead of replacing her creativity, AI amplified it by providing structured and consistent feedback, giving her more time to polish her jokes.—
Jeanne Beatrix Law,
The Conversation,
7 May 2025
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Polish with Microfiber Cloth Use a microfiber cloth to polish the mirror after squeegeeing.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 May 2025
Verb
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This is a major project that requires dismantling, sanding, stripping, and prepping cabinets properly for the best-looking results.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2025
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Corbet’s real crush is on the 1990s and 2000s products of high-end, coffee-table-book designers such as Tadao Ando or Peter Zumthor, who favoured singular, funeral monuments, with an obsessive sanding away of brutalism’s rugged surfaces.—
Matt Shaw,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The nation’s court system has been ground zero for pushback to President Trump’s sweeping conservative agenda, with about 200 lawsuits filed challenging policies on everything from immigration to education to mass layoffs of federal workers.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
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The nation’s court system has been ground zero for pushback to President Donald Trump’s sweeping conservative agenda, with about 200 lawsuits filed challenging policies on everything from immigration to education to mass layoffs of federal workers.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2025
Verb
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Several other practices have filed lawsuits of their own, per the Times.—
Alexis Kayser,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
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In 2010, Billy Ray filed for divorce, but eventually withdrew his petition a few months later.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hone. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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