whittle down
phrasal verb
whittled down; whittling down; whittles down
: to gradually make (something) smaller by removing parts
We whittled the list down to four people.
Examples of whittle down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the years since, a series of treaties and agreements between the two countries gradually whittled down that number.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
The state has used those dollars to whittle down its hefty pension debt but still owes more than $33 billion in this area.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026
In addition to fiber arts — work created primarily from natural or synthetic fibers, such as yarn, thread, and fabric — painting, drawing and pottery also help spur creativity and take time and dedication, the perfect outlet while trying to whittle down screen time.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
That field was whittled down to five then four before Warsh emerged as the selection.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whittle down
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Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
The state has used those dollars to whittle down its hefty pension debt but still owes more than $33 billion in this area.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026
In addition to fiber arts — work created primarily from natural or synthetic fibers, such as yarn, thread, and fabric — painting, drawing and pottery also help spur creativity and take time and dedication, the perfect outlet while trying to whittle down screen time.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
That field was whittled down to five then four before Warsh emerged as the selection.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whittle down
Cite this Entry
“Whittle down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whittle%20down. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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