WHETS Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

whets 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of whet

as in sharpens

to make sharp or sharper whetted the knife with the grindstone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whets

2 of 2

noun

plural of whet

as in nips

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

nonintoxicants

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 whets

Verb

Some of the Summertime launch‘s most delicious harvests have already sold out, so don’t think too long or too hard about it before snagging everything that catches your eye… and whets your appetite. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whets

Verb

Each crisis, like each game, sharpens judgment and strengthens leadership capabilities.

— Alice Ferreira, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
The understanding with Mbappe, always lightning quick to make his move, only sharpens the most dangerous connection at the World Cup.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of sharpens

Noun

The market is doing the Fed’s job Kevin Warsh’s argument for an ultimately lower Fed funds rate may rely on the notion that financial conditions are likely to tighten further on the long end of the yield curve—far outweighing any nips to the base rate the central bank can make.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 May 2026
Leclerc still can’t steer right at full speed, so Verstappen nips ahead for good measure at the final corner.

— Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 11 May 2026

Definition of nips

Noun

Engineering experts said the conversion project is complex and poses many challenges, which include making sure older buildings can safely support new loads and carving up office floors to accommodate residential living.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
More crucially, Illinois’ grid is well-equipped to deliver the large electrical loads needed to process AI and other data.

— Scott Cohn, CNBC, 9 July 2026

Definition of loads

Noun

Then there’s heated handlebars and seats, floorboards, highway pegs, brake and gear-lever pads, heel-shifter, and the King Tour-Pak, like the Street Glide Limited above.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
But there is an air of futility to the scene, like the coaches are shepherding square pegs into round holes.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 27 June 2026

Definition of pegs

Noun

Emmet Sheehan battles through 5⅓ strong innings and Shohei Ohtani belts his ninth leadoff homer, but the Dodgers are swept for the first time this season.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
Gassiev was originally meant to face Tony Yoka for the WBA's secondary heavyweight crown but got an upgrade to the full title, and a new opponent, after unified champion Oleksandr Usyk vacated his belts last month.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026

Definition of belts

Noun

There are over 2,000 species of terrestrial and marine slugs (including nudibranchs, sea hares, and the out-of-this-world Elysia chlorotica).

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026
The effect has been especially damaging on corals, oysters, and free-swimming snails and slugs.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 July 2026