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
Some Americans may have to catch up on late bills, pay back loans or whittle down debt again.
—
Medora Lee, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025
After whittling down the competition to his final two choices, Peg Munson and Cindy Cullers, the 66-year-old had planned to introduce the lucky women to his family on the island of Antigua.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Nov. 2025
Tariffs have also increased the cost of ingredients for her business, whittling down her margins.
—Caitlyn Reilly, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
Before that happens, the officeholders and various interest groups may have to whittle down the list.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whittle down
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Medora Lee, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025
After whittling down the competition to his final two choices, Peg Munson and Cindy Cullers, the 66-year-old had planned to introduce the lucky women to his family on the island of Antigua.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Nov. 2025
Tariffs have also increased the cost of ingredients for her business, whittling down her margins.
—Caitlyn Reilly, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
Before that happens, the officeholders and various interest groups may have to whittle down the list.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
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 1 Dec. 2025.
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