whets 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of whet
as in sharpens
to make sharp or sharper whetted the knife with the grindstone

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whets

2 of 2

noun

plural of whet

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
  • That mindset simplifies his decision-making, sharpens perception and allows his performance to become more instinctive.
    Elise Devlin, New York Times, 29 May 2026
  • Share a silly story with family to restore warmth, and remember that joy sharpens focus as well as spreadsheets.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
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
Noun
  • The initial system, named Eos, serves as a large-scale prototype designed to achieve steady-state fusion and test structural integrity under real operational loads.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026
  • Einride's proprietary optimization software, Saga AI, is also being used to manage EV execution of select Amazon loads, including charging planning.
    Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • Jolie’s design-forward space has pops of pink and mint green, a wraparound bar, and an open kitchen where the four-course tasting menu is prepared.
    Dyana Lederman, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
  • Tiny flowers add pops of blue, violet, white, and pink that spill over retaining walls, containers, and borders.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
Noun
  • The Rodents of Unusual Size that attack Westley in a swamp work because they are played by small men in rodent suits, rather than coolly conjured from pixels; their deliberate artifice is the thrill, and Reiner provided the voice for their hideous snorts.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • And trying to line up these two scoring models is like trying to put square pegs in round holes.
    Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
  • Closing off the week will be Wooyoungmi, Sacai, KidSuper, and Celine, which hasn’t staged a runway show since 2023 and returned last season with an intimate presentation at its headquarters on the Rue Vivienne, with its collection hung on pegs and accessories snaked around the room.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Vogue, 22 May 2026
Noun
  • This cover comes with a storage bag and multiple windproof belts to prevent your cover from going anywhere it isn’t supposed to.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
  • Some people prefer to use money belts for cash.
    Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
Noun
  • The reflective foil discourages unwanted insects and pests like slugs from approaching and harming the plants, but actually helps to attract butterflies.
    Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
  • For example, mint helps repel slugs; thyme improves the flavor of lettuce and repels aphids.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Whets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whets. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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