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
  • If most of the films fall short of profit, what’s to stop a studio from cutting back on supply and cost?
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Similarly, businesses also cut back and shrink rather than disappear.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of cut back
Verb
  • This follows an initial €46 million bid also being turned down, despite Rodri agreeing to join the Catalans.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Recruiting from Wall Street Years after Altman turned down the offer, his company is now recruiting Wall Street talent.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 12 Aug. 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 14 Aug. 2026.

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