sharpen

verbs

make sharp or sharper

"sharpen the knives"

sharpen

is derived from

sharpener

antonym

dull

is a type of (narrower)

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

"The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue"

alter, change, modify

make crisp or more crisp and precise

"We had to sharpen our arguments"

sharpen

is a type of (narrower)

make more intense, stronger, or more marked

"The efforts were intensified", "Her rudeness intensified his dislike for her"; "Pot smokers claim it heightens their awareness"; "This event only deepened my convictions"

compound, deepen, heighten, intensify

causes

become sharp or sharper

"The debate sharpened"

sharpen

become sharp or sharper

"The debate sharpened"

sharpen

is a type of (narrower)

become more intense

"The debate intensified"; "His dislike for raw fish only deepened in Japan"

deepen, intensify

put (an image) into focus

"Please focus the image; we cannot enjoy the movie"

focalise, focalize, focus, sharpen

make (images or sounds) sharp or sharper

sharpen

antonym

soften

is a type of (narrower)

increase or decrease in intensity

change intensity

raise the pitch of (musical notes)

sharpen

antonym

flatten

domain category

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

music

is a type of (narrower)

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

"The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue"

alter, change, modify

give a point to

"The candles are tapered"

point, sharpen, taper

make (one's senses) more acute

"This drug will sharpen your vision"

heighten, sharpen