smarten

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Could have the game for Australia, but needs to smarten up.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2025

“I would like to see people smarten up so that we don’t have to have a mandate in the first place,” she said.

From New York Times • Dec. 27, 2021

This will not only smarten up the tree but, more importantly, also leave a small, clean wound that will heal more quickly.

From Washington Post • Aug. 3, 2021

It’s also a self-protective reflex in the workplace: there’s vindication in seeing a boss who’s always telling others to smarten up wearing her sweater inside-out.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 14, 2018

Katz for his part clearly dreaded her company and winced beneath her tireless urgings to smarten his pace.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson