WHET Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

whet 1 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wet

Definition of whet

as in to sharpen

to make sharp or sharper whetted the knife with the grindstone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whet

2 of 2

noun

as in load

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of whet

Verb

Ahead of the show’s release, FX has planned ice cream trucks themed to each previous season at San Diego Comic-Con to whet fans’ appetite. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 10 July 2026 The team whetted fans’ appetites by promising initiatives involving Fieri throughout the race season. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026 Your yearnings whet the underside of her tongue, as familiar as the thrum of her own pulse. — Literary Hub, 25 June 2026 The vermouth’s herbal notes blend with the bitter tonic for a refreshing way to whet the palate before a meal. — Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for whet

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whet

Verb

According to Disney, the hiring of Anand illustrates that D’Amaro is sharpening the company’s focus on technology as a growth driver.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
Someone may challenge your interpretation, and your first instinct could be to sharpen your argument.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of sharpen

Noun

Even when port maneuvering and unloading on diesel power, the battery helps reduce the load on the engines.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
So even though Williams, 27, is one of the team’s top players, no one from coaching or training staff has approached him (and his 80 career games) about load management.

— Chad Graff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of load

Noun

The best part about these tacos were the tater tot cheddar cheese shell they were wrapped in.

— Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026
Plans call for four three-story apartment buildings, a community center, swimming pool, tot lot, barbecue area, dog park and 180 surface parking spaces.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of tot

Noun

Expansions, nips, and tucks happened over the years, but the British Colonial design was needing a facelift when Hurricane Irma decimated the island in September 2017.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
Not even regular nips from a hidden bottle of whiskey in the garage can ease Greg’s self-loathing.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of nip

Noun

The returning athletes are generally 22 or 23 years old and have four years of college sports experience under their belts.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Six different Falcon 9 first stages now have more than 30 launches and landings under their belt, led by Booster 1067, which has flown a whopping 37 times.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of belt

Noun

Outside, addicts wander peg-legged in the pulverizing triple-digit late summer heat, past attorneys in cream sport coats and copper-red ties.

— Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Anniversaries are ready pegs for journalists, sometimes reached for too automatically.

— Kurt Shillinger, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of peg

Noun

Vermouth is a lower-proof aperitif flavored with herbs, roots, spices, citrus and other botanicals, typically landing somewhere between 15% and 22% ABV—considerably gentler than the roughly 40% ABV of many familiar spirits.

— Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The aperitif hails from Italy and was developed by Casa Luigi Sarti & Figli, a historic distillery established in Bologna in 1885.

— Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of aperitif

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“Whet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whet. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of whet

verb

noun

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