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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
  • Six are run by first-time female showrunners, a notable number at a time when the industry has cut back and women have historically had fewer chances to lead series.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Son Heung-min cut back to evade a defender, darted toward the end line past another and then fired a shot from the left side of the area that was parried by goalkeeper Ethan Horvath at the near post.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of cut back
Verb
  • Randall and Anne Marie Richmond turned down requests for comment through their attorney, Alan Landman.
    — Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Beniers is a big proponent of the player empowerment trend and believes players are well within their rights to turn down a trade or contract.
    — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 11 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 18 Sep. 2026.

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