sharpen

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action d'affûter ou d'aiguiser un objet, ou d'améliorer une compétence ou une capacité.

A verb used to indicate the act of making something sharp or sharper, or improving a skill or ability.

1. Make sharp or sharperA2formal

   To make the edge or point of something more acute or keen.

   Aiguiser

   • He sharpened the kitchen knife before cutting the vegetables.
   • She sharpened her pencil with a small sharpener.
   • The barber sharpens his razors every morning.

   Synonymesacuminateedgefilegrindhonewhet

   Antonymesbluntdull

2. Make crisp or more preciseB2formal

   To make something clearer, more distinct, or more exact.

   Rendre plus précis

   • The editor sharpened the article's focus.
   • She sharpened her argument with new evidence.
   • The training helped sharpen his analytical skills.

   Synonymesclarifyenhancefocushoneimprovepolishrefinetighten

   Antonymesblurcloudfuzzmuddleobscure

3. Become sharp or sharperB1formal

   To become more acute or keen in quality or sensation.

   devenir plus aigu/plus net

   • His reflexes sharpened after months of practice.
   • The cold air sharpened her senses.
   • As the deadline approached, his focus sharpened.

   Synonymesheightenintensifyquicken

   Antonymesbluntdull

4. Put an image into focusB1formal

   To adjust an optical device so that the image becomes clear and distinct.

   Mettre au point une image

   • He sharpened the image using the camera's manual focus.
   • The photographer sharpened the picture in post-processing.
   • She sharpened the microscope's lens to see the cells clearly.

   Synonymesfocus

   Antonymesblur

5. Make images or sounds sharp or sharperB2formal

   To enhance the clarity or definition of visual or auditory signals.

   Améliorer la netteté

   • The software can sharpen blurry photos.
   • He sharpened the audio track to reduce background noise.
   • The technician sharpened the video signal for better quality.

   Synonymesaccentuateclarifyenhancefocusheightenintensifyrefine

   Antonymesblurdullfuzzmufflesoften

6. Raise the pitch of musical notesB2formal

   To increase the frequency of a musical note, making it higher in pitch.

   hausser d'un demi-ton

   • The musician sharpened the note by adjusting the tuning peg.
   • She sharpened the melody to create a more dramatic effect.
   • The composer instructed the violinist to sharpen the final chord.

   Synonymesraisesharp

   Antonymesflattenlower

7. Give a point toA2formal

   To make something pointed or tapered at the end.

   rendre pointu

   • He sharpened the stick to use as a tent peg.
   • She sharpened the end of the dowel for the craft project.
   • The artist sharpened the charcoal stick for fine lines.

   Synonymesacuminatepointtaper

   Antonymesbluntdull

8. Make one's senses more acuteB2formal

   To heighten or refine one's perception or awareness.

   Aiguiser ses sens

   • Meditation helps sharpen your mental focus.
   • The intense training sharpened his instincts.
   • She sharpened her hearing by practicing in noisy environments.

   Synonymesenhanceheightenhoneintensifyquickenrefinewhet

   Antonymesbluntdull