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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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 whittle
Leaders have reinforced that narrative by whittling their workforces in the name of AI.
—
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 1 June 2026
Specifically, retinol smooths fine lines, lessens wrinkle depth, and whittles the appearance of large pores.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 29 May 2026
In a normal year, casting director Jesse Tannenbaum and his team sift through 25,000 applications, per Backstage, whittling them down to just 18 players per season.
—Charlotte Walsh, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
While previous seasons of South Park have comprised between 10 to 15 episodes, and sometimes more, in recent years, Parker and Stone have whittled the number down to about five or six.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for whittle
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 1 June 2026
Specifically, retinol smooths fine lines, lessens wrinkle depth, and whittles the appearance of large pores.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 29 May 2026
In a normal year, casting director Jesse Tannenbaum and his team sift through 25,000 applications, per Backstage, whittling them down to just 18 players per season.
—Charlotte Walsh, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
While previous seasons of South Park have comprised between 10 to 15 episodes, and sometimes more, in recent years, Parker and Stone have whittled the number down to about five or six.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for whittle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittle
Verb
-
Researchers say the facility significantly cuts both training time and cost for AI models.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Sacramento’s latest homelessness decision will cut funding and reduce services at some shelters that support pregnant youth, the LGBTQ+ community and young parents.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Today, for $50 — the price of two boxes of gloves — employers can deploy a wearable sensor clipped to a worker’s arm to track core temperature and heart rate, sending a warning before the body crosses the edge into heatstroke.—
Dean Florez,
Mercury News,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Sometimes calls are overturned because the ball clipped the zone by measurements as small as a tenth of an inch.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Style them for your next night out with Another Tomorrow’s slinky tank, a pair of Banana Republic trousers, and Chloé’s knotted leather belt for a look that’s pared-back yet packed with punch.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
11 June 2026
-
However, crude pared those gains as chip stocks powered the market higher.—
Alexa LoMonaco,
CNBC,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Mac Allister and Gakpo drop to deal with the Serbian and Sangare (below).—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The United States, widely criticized under President Joe Biden for not reining in brutal Israeli excesses in Gaza, is now trying to curtail Israeli action in tackling the more existential security challenge to its north with Hezbollah.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
This will be curtailed by construction of new housing and, in the case of Luther, by a new Health Partners Como Clinic to replace their historic one.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittle. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
