Dictionary entry details
• SHARPEN (verb)
Meaning:
Make sharp or sharper
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Context example:
sharpen the knives
Hypernyms (to "sharpen" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "sharpen"):
strap (sharpen with a strap)
edge (provide with an edge)
strop (sharpen on a strop)
whet (sharpen by rubbing, as on a whetstone)
hone (sharpen with a hone)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Antonym:
dull (make dull or blunt)
Meaning:
Make sharp or sharper
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Context example:
We had to sharpen our arguments
Hypernyms (to "sharpen" is one way to...):
compound; deepen; heighten; intensify (make more intense, stronger, or more marked)
Cause:
sharpen (become sharp or sharper)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Become sharp or sharper
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Context example:
The debate sharpened
Hypernyms (to "sharpen" is one way to...):
deepen; intensify (become more intense)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Meaning:
Put (an image) into focus
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
focalise; focalize; sharpen; focus
Context example:
Please focus the image; we cannot enjoy the movie
Hypernyms (to "sharpen" is one way to...):
adjust; correct; set (alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard)
Cause:
focalise; focalize; focus (become focussed or come into focus)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "sharpen"):
refocus (put again into focus or focus more sharply)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP
Meaning:
Make (images or sounds) sharp or sharper
Classified under:
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling
Hypernyms (to "sharpen" is one way to...):
change intensity (increase or decrease in intensity)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "sharpen"):
focus (cause to converge on or toward a central point)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Antonym:
soften (make (images or sounds) soft or softer)
Meaning:
Raise the pitch of (musical notes)
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Hypernyms (to "sharpen" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Domain category:
music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Antonym:
flatten (lower the pitch of (musical notes))
Meaning:
Give a point to
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
taper; sharpen; point
Context example:
The candles are tapered
Hypernyms (to "sharpen" is one way to...):
change form; change shape; deform (assume a different shape or form)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "sharpen"):
acuminate (make sharp or acute; taper; make (something) come to a point)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Make (one's senses) more acute
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
heighten; sharpen
Context example:
This drug will sharpen your vision
Hypernyms (to "sharpen" is one way to...):
compound; deepen; heighten; intensify (make more intense, stronger, or more marked)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "sharpen"):
subtilise; subtilize (make (senses) more keen)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
