WordWeb Online

1. Having the point made sharp
   "a sharpened pencil"
    
2. Made sharp or sharper
   "a sharpened knife cuts more cleanly"

1. Make sharp or sharper
   "sharpen the knives"
    
2. Make crisp or more crisp and precise
   "We had to sharpen our arguments"
    
3. Become sharp or sharper
   "The debate sharpened"
    
4. Put (an image) into focus
   "Please sharpen the image; we cannot enjoy the movie";
   - focus, focalize, focalise [Brit]
    
5. Make (images or sounds) sharp or sharper
    
6. (music) raise the pitch of (musical notes)
    
7. Give a point to
   - taper, point
    
8. Make (one's senses) more acute
   "This drug will sharpen your vision";
   - heighten

See also: focus on, pointed, sharp

Type of: adjust, alter, change, change form, change intensity, change shape, compound, correct, deepen, deform, heighten, intensify, modify, set

Antonym: blur, drop, dull, soften

Encyclopedia: Sharpen