1 (make sharp) [+tool, blade] afilar; [+pencil] sacar punta a; afilar to sharpen sth to a point afilar algo hasta sacarle punta
Each sword blade was thirty-five inches of heavy steel that had been sharpened to a spear point
2 (intensify, increase) [+reactions] agudizar; [+resolve] aumentar; [+contrast] marcar; [+appetite] abrir; [+skills] mejorar this will sharpen awareness of other people's needs esto hará que se tome más conciencia de las necesidades de los demás
intensive training has sharpened his responses/reactions this setback only served to sharpen my resolve a policy that will have the effect of sharpening distinctions between the haves and the have-nots the fight over legislation will sharpen the differences between Republicans and Democrats training programs for older workers to sharpen their job-seeking and interview skills Ginny tried to sharpen some rusty typing skills You can sharpen your interview technique with rehearsal
to sharpen one's wits espabilarse
3 (make clearer) [+image] definir; hacer más nítido He adjusts the contrast to sharpen the image