as in 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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Recent Examples of whittled
According to the announcement, TDE Films whittled the pool of applicants to 25 finalists before identifying the five recipients whose work demonstrated distinct narrative voices, emotionally resonant characters and culturally meaningful perspectives.
—
Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Miami had been favored by 13 1/2 points but that whittled to 10 1/2 by kickoff, perhaps foretelling the close game as late gambling money flooded to the Cardinals.
—Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
The new departures, which have already been challenged in court, whittled the Education Department's staff by nearly a fifth, based on its most recent headcount estimates of full- and part-time employees.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Mann eventually whittled it down to $170 million.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
The European Union, once a top Kremlin customer, has banned all seaborne imports of Russian crude oil, and whittled Moscow’s share of its natural gas imports delivered via pipeline to about 11% last year, from more than 40% in 2021.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
After ten weeks and 550 matches, the sixteen teams of the Premier League of MLP have been whittled to ten, the six Challenger teams are in Southern California, and the playoff schedules are out.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Miami had been favored by 13 1/2 points but that whittled to 10 1/2 by kickoff, perhaps foretelling the close game as late gambling money flooded to the Cardinals.
—Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
The new departures, which have already been challenged in court, whittled the Education Department's staff by nearly a fifth, based on its most recent headcount estimates of full- and part-time employees.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Mann eventually whittled it down to $170 million.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
The European Union, once a top Kremlin customer, has banned all seaborne imports of Russian crude oil, and whittled Moscow’s share of its natural gas imports delivered via pipeline to about 11% last year, from more than 40% in 2021.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
After ten weeks and 550 matches, the sixteen teams of the Premier League of MLP have been whittled to ten, the six Challenger teams are in Southern California, and the playoff schedules are out.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittled
Verb
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The veteran coach believes the solution to the problem is to cut some games off the 82-game schedule, a view shared by Cleveland Cavaliers coach (and former Kerr assistant) Kenny Atkinson, who recently advocated for a 72-game season.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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The 10-year Treasury yield was little changed Friday following this week’s interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve and the central bank’s more hawkish tone on future policy.—
Sean Conlon,Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gausman allowed a solo home run to Dodgers catcher Will Smith, and two batters later, he got clipped by third baseman Max Muncy.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
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Her arm was hooked up to an IV with a pulse oximeter clipped to her fingertip.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In exchange, the United States lowered some of its tariffs.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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The rescue medics and firefighters stabilized the man and lowered him by rope (in a Stokes basket) to a waiting ambulance.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Houston’s Kevin Durant dropped 37 points, with 16 coming at the charity stripe, but no other player on Houston’s roster scored more than 17.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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The loss was an unfamiliar feeling for the Dodgers, who had only dropped one game this entire postseason entering Friday.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Take their recent turn on the Academy Museum Gala red carpet; Bieber opted for a sculptural corset dress by Schiaparelli, while Kendall went pared back in a black dress by The Row.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
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The design is pared back, and the star of the show is the merchandise.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whittled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittled. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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