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 down
  2. cut back
  3. turned down
  4. knocked 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
  • The episode cuts back and forth between John’s tense interview and his upbringing, revealing how John was conditioned to be fearless from a young age.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Analysis from Bank of America shows that Fed officials already appear to be adapting to Warsh's latest communication style by cutting back on public appearances.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cut back
Verb
  • The Archbishop O’Hara Hall of Famer sought other opportunities, but eventually turned down an offer to start Baker’s program a year later, after Gillette begrudgingly recommended her for the job.
    — PJ Green August 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Namely, the singer turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom – widely considered the government's highest civilian honor – multiple times.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of turned down
Verb
  • Con Edison was also called in due to power lines being knocked down behind the homes.
    — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Metro Fire crews knocked down the vehicle fire and tended to the two before pronouncing one of the victims dead at the scene.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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