whittled (down)

Definition of whittled (down)next
past tense of whittle (down)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittled (down)
Verb
  • Her floor-length Vivienne Westwood Couture gown featured off-the-shoulder straps and a V-cut back with a sculptural skirt that flared from the waist down to the floor.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Woody plants that bloom on old wood should not be cut back in the fall.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Farmers Insurance Open begins Thursday morning at Torrey Pines, which means, at least for a few hours, the volume will be turned down on talk of the tournament’s future.
    Jay Posner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
  • His grandfather, Aba Goniondskis, turned down the role of Jewish police chief of the ghetto and was later killed by the Nazis.
    Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • How does a now 40-year-old Aubry, who has been knocked down a few times, pick herself back up to show everyone what she’s made of?
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Porter knocked down his seventh trey immediately, then jumped a passing lane for a steal and a dunk that tied it at 90.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
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

Cite this Entry

“Whittled (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittled%20%28down%29. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!