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

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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

But the talent on display whets the appetite for the multihyphenate’s next projects after this work’s debut in Venice as part of the wider Biennale College. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026 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 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

Anxiety knocks people off autopilot, sharpens attention and sends them looking for new information.

— Monique Mitchell Turner, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026
Why coffee on an empty stomach backfires Pouring coffee into an empty stomach speeds absorption and sharpens the eventual fall.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of sharpens

Noun

Cranes lift 200-ton loads at mountain bridge site The R4300-200 has a maximum lifting capacity of 200 metric tons (220 US tons) and an 80-meter jib (262 feet).

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Its remaining civil rights workers have described untenable case loads and pressure to dismiss complaints.

— Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of loads

Noun

From Whitney Peak‘s ethereal glow to the pops of color in Mckenna Grace‘s makeup, these tributes made quite an impression with their beauty looks on the red carpet.

— Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
The aforementioned Bake Off pops up again in Erivo’s monologue.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of pops

Noun

In addition, Simm is working with two craftsman who are creating belts and knives that will be featured on the site and made-to-order.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
But its dusky cloud belts and Red Spot can be seen more clearly when the planet is highest in the southeast soon after dawn breaks.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of belts

Noun

By the time the buck had closed to 40 yards, I’d fired all my slugs and gingerly reloaded.

— Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 28 Oct. 2026
These beneficial predators spend the winter under leaves, emerging in spring to feed on common garden pests such as aphids, slugs and mites.

— Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026