HONES Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

hones

verb

present tense third-person singular of hone

as in sharpens

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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as in rubs

to make smooth by friction honed the edge of the axe until it was amazingly sharp

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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 hones Chance the Rapper, another honoree, hones his influence and charity on young generations in his hometown through his organization Social Works Chicago, which works with mental health providers, the homeless, and public schools. — Connor Greene, Time, 22 May 2026 But Highsmith hones the drama by putting us in Chester’s head. — Literary Hub, 1 May 2026 Victor Wembanyama hones his own brand of basketball daily. — James Jackson, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026 Both films revolved around Mitchie (Lovato), who hones her vocal talents at the camp alongside the Gray brothers Shane (Joe Jonas), Nate (Nick Jonas), and Jason (Kevin Jonas). — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025 To survive a ruthless winnowing—to go from one of about 16,000 high-school quarterbacks each year to one of the 10 good ones in the NFL to one of the three or so each generation who earn the Hall of Fame’s gold jacket—hones certain traits within them and strips others away. — Seth Wickersham, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025 Training also hones employability skills and offers guidance for honing college and career paths. — Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 1 Sep. 2025 Living in a world not designed with disability in mind heightens your ability to problem solve and, over time, hones your ingenuity. — Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hones

Verb

Read alongside the research, Harari’s argument sharpens the problem.

— Deepa Nagraj, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
The Quick Edge Knife Sharpener has more than 11,000 positive reviews and sharpens almost any straight-edge knife with just a couple of gentle passes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of sharpens

Verb

Achord stands behind Smack each time and, before one kick, rubs his belly with his other hand over his head as some sort of signal.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
But during the following two years, Van Lith saw only gigantic tracks and adrenaline-inspiring antler rubs that had been left behind by the buck of his dreams.

— Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of rubs

Verb

The annual College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), the country’s most important academic event, grinds the nation to almost a halt to ensure the smooth administration of the exam.

— Lim Hui Jie,Miko Jang, CNBC, 15 Sep. 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 grinds

Verb

Thorn cuts the pieces for his puzzle-style artworks, sands them, paints them, then glues them into a frame.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
Sawdust sprays as Matt Sams meticulously sands the edges of a balcony railing that will soon be affixed to the front of a house.

— Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026