whetted; whetting
1
: to sharpen by rubbing on or with something (such as a stone)
whet a knife
whetter noun
1
2
: something that sharpens or makes keen:
a
: goad, incitement
b
: appetizer
also : a drink of liquor
Examples of whet in a Sentence
Verb We had some wine to whet our appetites. The ads are trying to whet booksellers' interest.
Recent Examples on the Web
Arts Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 And the game itself only whetted his appetite for more information. —Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 After six weeks whetting blades in the factory on a grinding belt, Brigitte received a silver motorbike. —Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026 Let the lemonade whet your whistle, then explore the rest of the city’s surprisingly accomplished food scene. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whet
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.
Verb
British Museum As excitement builds for the opening of the new Geffen Galleries at LACMA on Sunday (for priority members; May 4 for the general public), one’s appetite may be whetted to visit other museums. —Arts Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 And the game itself only whetted his appetite for more information. —Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 After six weeks whetting blades in the factory on a grinding belt, Brigitte received a silver motorbike. —Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026 Let the lemonade whet your whistle, then explore the rest of the city’s surprisingly accomplished food scene. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whet
Cite this Entry
“Whet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/whet. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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