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 Similarly, the organization is an early training ground for developing leadership and business skills that millions of young girls, much like Olive and the film’s other protagonists, can hone through selling cookies. — Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026 Sure enough, during our interview, her answers betray a bombastic staccato honed on the stump. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 That’s partly because so much of who Gaby is has been carefully honed by the writers and Williams to align with the actor’s voice. — Maureen Lee Lenker, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 Both said the addition of ABS honed their knowledge of the strike zone, which now varies due to player height rather than stance. — Abby Disalvo, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 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
  • Follow The Decision, Not Just The Model One way to sharpen that oversight is to stop treating the model as the whole unit of analysis.
    — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Her boredom was sharpened by the discovery that most of her initial assumptions were wrong.
    — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of sharpen
Verb
  • For instance, Qidi had to include a piece of Velcro to prevent the Polar Cooler tube from rubbing against the glass surface inside the top cover.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Gently rub the entire surface in small circular motions, then use a dry cloth to wipe down the entire surface.
    — Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of rub
Verb
  • Seventy percent of job seekers use AI to polish their resumes—and Gen Z adoption is even higher at 85%.
    — Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Whether styled with a matching linen top, a lightweight blouse, or thrown on as a swimsuit cover-up en route to the beach club, these versatile pants make looking polished as easy as ever.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of polish
Verb
  • Before planting any hibiscus seeds, start by nicking or sanding the seeds using fine-grade sandpaper or the tip of a knife.
    — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
  • But everything around it needed to be sculpted, sanded and polished by hand.
    — John Lauritsen, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • The 4-cup mini chopper can chop or grind ingredients in seconds, making quick work of onions, garlic, herbs, and more.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The lineup has expanded beyond its viral multi-balm, too, with lightweight SPF sticks and even a mess-minimizing grinding cleansing balm.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of grind
Verb
  • The prosecution and defense have filed dueling documents focused on whether the crime included aggravating factors that would make Robinson eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is once again seeking to overturn his state murder conviction in the 2020 killing of George Floyd, according to court documents filed Tuesday.
    — Riley Moser, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of file

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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 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hone for Spanish Speakers

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