as in to cut
to cause to diminish gradually by or as if by cutting off bits with a knife
He was sitting on the porch, whittling a stick.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whittle
DeWine, also a Republican, whittled out several provisions lawmakers have said would reduce property tax burdens across the state.
—
J.d. Davidson, The Washington Examiner, 2 July 2025
Penetration of the once-ubiquitous service has been whittled to 36% of all U.S. TV households, down from a high of 91%.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 June 2025
There’s nothing quite like setting up a board with pieces and whittling the day away in your own world.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
City were 13 points ahead at one stage in January, but Liverpool (who had games in hand) whittled that down and nearly won it on the final day.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whittle
J.d. Davidson, The Washington Examiner, 2 July 2025
Penetration of the once-ubiquitous service has been whittled to 36% of all U.S. TV households, down from a high of 91%.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 June 2025
There’s nothing quite like setting up a board with pieces and whittling the day away in your own world.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
City were 13 points ahead at one stage in January, but Liverpool (who had games in hand) whittled that down and nearly won it on the final day.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whittle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittle
Verb
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Initially lined up outside, Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones quickly cut inside to beat the right tackle.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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On the northeast of the fire, by Sugar Pine Mountain, crews worked in steep, inaccessible terrain to bring containment lines into the natural rock bluff, trying to cut the fire off south of the Wishon Reservoir for the protection of the critical hydroelectric infrastructure.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Assembly is best as a two-person job, but pretty much consists of clipping the arms to the seats and plugging in the motors.—
Zoë Sessums,
Architectural Digest,
4 Sep. 2025
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The video quickly clipped to the white sedan engulfed in flames.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Once its largest shareholder with a 40% stake, Lefkofsky stepped down from an active leadership role at Groupon in 2015 and has since pared his holdings to just under 10%.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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Dress it up with a pair of tights, a skirt, and some ballet flats, or pare it down with your favorite jeans, a tote bag, and some comfy sneakers.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Alcaraz is averaging fewer than 10 games dropped per match, and his 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2 victory was his second-closest encounter so far.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Surveillance reports and early warning systems have been curtailed, while health promotion and advocacy for communities disproportionately affected by inequity are being censored.—
Stan Chu Ilo,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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His minority interest in the Raiders presents a clear conflict of interest that at least subconsciously likely curtails his willingness to criticize, at least to an extent.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittle. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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