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
Sean Gregory, TIME, 25 Oct. 2024
In recent months, additional momentum has come from the tactical successes of the IDF, which have whetted the public’s appetite for more.
—Shalom Lipner, Foreign Affairs, 25 Nov. 2024
Andrew Watman, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024
The new Disney+ access t sports may also serve to whet consumer appetites for the launch of a new stand-alone ESPN streaming service that will provide nearly everything the sports-media giant offers, not just an array of content meant to complement its linear channels.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024
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
Maddon believes Japan’s World Baseball Classic victory over the United States in March 2023 whetted Ohtani’s appetite for big-ticket wins.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 25 Oct. 2024
In recent months, additional momentum has come from the tactical successes of the IDF, which have whetted the public’s appetite for more.
—Shalom Lipner, Foreign Affairs, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
The authentic woven bamboo whets your appetite for what’s inside.
—Andrew Watman, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024
The new Disney+ access t sports may also serve to whet consumer appetites for the launch of a new stand-alone ESPN streaming service that will provide nearly everything the sports-media giant offers, not just an array of content meant to complement its linear channels.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whet
Dictionary Entries Near whet
Cite this Entry
“Whet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whet. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share