whittle (down)

verb

Definition of whittle (down)next
as in to cut down

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittle (down)
  1. cut down
  2. cut back
  3. turn down
Verb
  • If the war does indeed come to an end and oil keeps falling, Warsh might get breathing room for rate cuts down the line.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 16 June 2026
  • Courtesy of the Abu Haikal family Haikal said his family’s own homes have been targeted in settler attacks, including having stones thrown at their home, their crops destroyed, trees cut down and property stolen.
    — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 16 June 2026
Definition of cut down
Verb
  • Phil Walter / Getty Images Tennis Australia chief executive Andrew Abdo suggested Grand Slams could cut back best-of-five men’s singles matches as tennis looks to attract younger audiences.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • When the first Eva cuts back her hours, the narrator hires a second Eva.
    — Catherine G. Wagley, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of cut back
Verb
  • Most high school students would jump at the chance to go to Columbia, but Hudson Hooper turned down the opportunity to get an Ivy League education to walk on and play football at TCU in 2023.
    — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Parting with Kreider will immediately address Gauthier, whose camp reportedly turned down a four-year extension at an average annual value of $13 million.
    — Eric Stephens, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of turn down
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.

Browse Nearby Words

whittled (down)
whittle (down)
whittles
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Cite this Entry

“Whittle (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittle%20%28down%29. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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