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
Andy Naylor, New York Times, 20 May 2025
In England, Richards apparently shared it with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, among others, whetting their appetites for the older American instruments.
—Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 20 May 2025
For decades, San Diego State’s spring football practice culminated with its spring game, an intrasquad scrimmage that whet the appetites of fans for the season to come.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whet
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Verb
Finishing sixth in the table two years ago to qualify for the Europa League under former head coach Roberto De Zerbi whetted the appetite for more European experiences for the club.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 20 May 2025
In England, Richards apparently shared it with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, among others, whetting their appetites for the older American instruments.
—Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Noun
Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali star in Jurassic World Rebirth.
Jurassic World Rebirth is coming to theaters for the Fourth of July weekend, and Universal Pictures has released one final trailer to whet audience appetites for the film.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 20 May 2025
For decades, San Diego State’s spring football practice culminated with its spring game, an intrasquad scrimmage that whet the appetites of fans for the season to come.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whet
Cite this Entry
“Whet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whet. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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