Whet

/ˈwɛt/ · verb

Meaning

To sharpen (something, such as a knife or sword) by rubbing on an object, especially a whetstone; to hone..

Definitions by Sense

1. To sharpen (something, such as a knife or sword) by rubbing on an object, especially a whetstone; to hone.
2. Of an animal such as a boar: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing on a stone, etc., in preparation for an attack.
3. To make more keen or to stimulate (someone's appetite, interest, etc.); to hone, to sharpen.
4. To encourage (someone) to do something; to incite, to urge.
5. To inculcate or teach (habits, information, etc.).
6. Of a bird: to preen (its feathers).
7. To make more keen; to stimulate.
8. To prepare for an attack.

Example Sentences

Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?

And the Mower whets his ſithe,

Here roams the wolf, the eagle whets his beak.

to whet one's appetite or one's courage

My faith in vegetarianism grew on me from day to day. Salt's book whetted my appetite for dietetic studies. I went in for all books available on vegetarianism and read them.

Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, / I have not slept.

In the end, porn doesn’t whet men’s appetites—it turns them off the real thing.

sips, drams, and whets

Synonyms for whet

Antonyms for whet

Related Words

Word Forms

• whets
• whetting
• whetted
• whet
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• whettest
• whettedst
• whetteth
• -

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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