whittled (down)

verb

past tense of whittle (down)
as in cut down

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittled (down)
  1. cut back
  2. turned down
  3. knocked down
Verb
  • In fact, cutting back during extreme heat reduces waste buildup and oxygen demands.
    — Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026
  • Use hand pruners or loppers to cut back as much of the top growth as possible.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
Definition of cut back
Verb
  • Murillo, and another judge who previously heard the case, turned down all of the consumer group’s arguments in separate rulings, the last of which Murillo issued Tuesday night.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • The Athletic reported in June an offer around £20million had been rejected, but this new proposal will also be turned down.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of turned down
Verb
  • Carr knocked down a three on an offensive rebound for the Lakers’ first summer league points.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Many injuries were reported in Wisconsin’s Walworth County after the storm toppled trees, knocked down power lines and damaged buildings, said Tom Hausner, undersheriff for the Walworth County Sheriff’s department.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of knocked 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.

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Cite this Entry

“Whittled (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittled%20%28down%29. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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