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

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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

Like anticipation for an upcoming summer blockbuster movie, the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll whets the appetite for college football fans ahead of the teams returning to the field. — Erick Smith, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 One section tracks the influence of the Alhambra complex, in Granada, where artists trekked to whet their appetites for the exotic. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for whet

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whet

Verb

The Quick Edge Knife Sharpener has more than 11,000 positive reviews and sharpens almost any straight-edge knife with just a couple of gentle passes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
The decision to wind down Cruise and refocus on personal autonomy sharpened the company’s priorities, Barra said.

— Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of sharpen

Noun

From cherry cola ribs and chicken chili tot pie to beer cheese broccoli orzo soup and Nashville hot chicken and pickle dip, check out Spence's recipes below.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of tot

Noun

Wear it with a khaki trench coat for a trendy pairing at outdoor events when there’s a nip in the air.

— Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of nip

Noun

The line also includes accessories such as caps, beanies, belts, bags, socks and footwear along with workwear staples such as a belt with pockets, an apron and a belt-pocket piece.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
It’s equipped with a cushioned running belt and shock-absorbing pads for smooth walks.

— Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of belt

Noun

After axemen cleared paths through the oaks, elms, and basswoods, the surveyors stretched a standardized measure called a Gunter’s chain—a hundred links to a chain, eighty chains to a mile—and marked the distances with tally pegs.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
One of his earliest experiments at university was an ordinary clothes peg recreated in sterling silver.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of peg

Noun

Bitter foods have been used for generations to kick digestion into gear, whether that meant a bitter aperitif before a meal or a sharp green tossed on the plate first.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of aperitif

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“Whet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whet. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of whet

verb

noun

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