whetted; whetting
1
: to sharpen by rubbing on or with something (such as a stone)
whet a knife
whetter
noun
1
2
: something that sharpens or makes keen:
a
: goad, incitement
b
: appetizer
also
: a drink of liquor
Examples of whet in a Sentence
Verb
We had some wine to whet our appetites.
The ads are trying to whet booksellers' interest.
Recent Examples on the Web
Arts Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
And the game itself only whetted his appetite for more information.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
After six weeks whetting blades in the factory on a grinding belt, Brigitte received a silver motorbike.
—Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Let the lemonade whet your whistle, then explore the rest of the city’s surprisingly accomplished food scene.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whet
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Verb
British Museum As excitement builds for the opening of the new Geffen Galleries at LACMA on Sunday (for priority members; May 4 for the general public), one’s appetite may be whetted to visit other museums.
—Arts Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
And the game itself only whetted his appetite for more information.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
After six weeks whetting blades in the factory on a grinding belt, Brigitte received a silver motorbike.
—Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Let the lemonade whet your whistle, then explore the rest of the city’s surprisingly accomplished food scene.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whet
Cite this Entry
“Whet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whet. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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