WHETTING Synonyms: 15 Similar and Opposite Words

whetting

verb

present participle of whet

as in sharpening

to make sharp or sharper whetted the knife with the grindstone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 whetting The announcement lands at the close of Marché du Film, where Japan was this year’s country of honor, and caps a busy session for Frontières Platform, which in recent years has been a key player in whetting the growing appetite for genre film at both the Cannes’ festival and market. — Jennie Punter, Variety, 22 May 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whetting

Verb

The Sun conjoins Mercury in Virgo and your 1st House of Self, sharpening your voice, presence, choices, and personal direction.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Truist focused on growth Truist has been sharpening its strategic focus on growth and performance.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of sharpening

Verb

Kruz and Josie catch the guy’s eye on the dance floor and invite him to join their impromptu grinding session, which is also when Joe catches the pair touching in a way that suggests relationship-level familiarity.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2026
But almost all beef that is meant to be used for grinding beef, which comes from Australia or Brazil, is frozen, and a large portion of that goes to food service operations, mostly fast food companies.

— Dan Mangan,Pippa Stevens, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of grinding

Browse Nearby Words

whetted

whetting

whey-faced

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“Whetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whetting. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of whetting

verb

Example Sentences

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