WHITTLE Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

whittle

verb

Definition of whittle

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

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 Next, your votes whittled the field of contenders to the Top 10 picks, then down to the Top 5 and Top 2. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026 New York was down by as much as 16 points in Game 5 before slowly whittling the Spurs’ lead away. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026 The authors disagreed with that earlier assessment, concluding that the bone marks were more consistent with whittling using a sharp implement. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 June 2026 The group stage of the tournament (June 11-27) will whittle the field from 48 to 32 teams. — Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for whittle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittle

Verb

At the same time, the data shows, courts have severely cut the length of time many people are getting to prepare for complex immigration proceedings, from about six months to often just a little more than a month.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Using a paring knife, mark a smaller square inside each pastry square, leaving a 1/2 inch border (do not cut all the way through the dough).

— Torie Cox, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of cut

Verb

The Braves and Cubs usually are pro-active, too, while the Brewers and Rays often seek more prospects in favor of paring payroll and increasing future forecasts.

— Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Sparkling yet simple, Gerber’s dress eschewed 1980s high glam for a look that was pared back yet still glamorous enough to evoke the decade.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 28 July 2026

Definition of pare

Verb

Lopez met with The Club’s HOA board to discuss safety concerns that homeowners said were caused by overcrowded units, such as a shaking elevator that dropped multiple floors and water leaking into hallways.

— Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
The charge, which has since been dropped, was related to a dispute Dillon had with her former neighbors who had since moved and did not pursue the case, her lawsuit said.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of drop

Verb

Until the grid manages load better, data centers curtail their own, or new supply comes online, calling on emergency power isn't the backup plan.

— Anna Demeo, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
The proposed law, which would federalize elections, require additional documentation in order to vote and curtail mail-in registration and ballots in all states, faces major logistical, legal and political hurdles.

— SoRelle Wyckoff Gaynor, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

Definition of curtail

Browse Nearby Words

whits

whittle

whittled

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“Whittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittle. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of whittle

verb

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