(transitive, sometimes figurative) To make sharp.
Used in a Sentence
sharpens
Definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for sharpens.
Editorial note
It sharpens incentives to work hard and take risks; it rewards the talented innovators who drive economic progress.
Examples16
Definitions2
Parts of speech1
Quick take
(transitive, sometimes figurative) To make sharp.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of sharpens gathered in one view.
(intransitive) To become sharp.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for sharpens.
verb
(transitive, sometimes figurative) To make sharp.
verb
(intransitive) To become sharp.
Example sentences
It sharpens incentives to work hard and take risks; it rewards the talented innovators who drive economic progress.
Especially given typical requirements volatility, and a project approach that sharpens ROI estimates as you go.
Once you figure out what the threshold between 'reasonable' and 'ridiculous' is it sharpens your ability to get what you can.
On my machine it loads a blurry jpeg which sharpens over about two seconds.
Frequency-dependent enhancement sharpens the edges and brings it back into useful focus.
What I like is that it's a space filled with other entrepreneurs, and iron sharpens iron.
And doing so you can get the pulse/need of the people and your ideas sharpens and you know you need to close the doors.
I'm emphatically not against pure research, which significantly sharpens our abilities to deal with practical problems and which is interesting in its own right.
I particularly enjoyed his point about interviewing once in a while, as that definitely sharpens skills that are not typically used in a job.
Nothing sharpens your financial judgment like limited resources.
My blog works fine for my business, since I don't believe in competitively sensitive information and because explaining to 3rd parties sharpens my thinking frequently.
I don't mind an occasional drink but, most of the time, I prefer the one that sharpens the brain over the one that dulls it.
Quote examples
As the old saying goes: "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
This reminds me of a signature I once saw on a forum: "as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.".
Exercise during the work day, even minimal exercise sharpens your concentration and "shakes out the dead leaves" so to speak.
No, marco, you're just being "corrected." Iron sharpens iron, duh.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use sharpens in a sentence?
It sharpens incentives to work hard and take risks; it rewards the talented innovators who drive economic progress.
What does sharpens mean?
(transitive, sometimes figurative) To make sharp.
What part of speech is sharpens?
sharpens is commonly used as verb.