Whets is a diverse word that has many synonyms. Some common synonyms of whets include excites, sharpens, stimulates, arouses, kindles and animates. When you whet something, you make it more acute, sharpening the senses or increasing the desire. Excites and stimulates work synonymously with whets in terms of creating enthusiasm for something, while sharpening refers to honing an edge or making something more precise. Arouses and kindles are often linked with passion or interest, while animates indicates a more profound and prolonged activation of something dormant. Regardless of the synonym used, the word whets always relates to intensifying or enhancing in some manner.