whittled (down)

past tense of whittle (down)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittled (down)
Verb
  • When the mood is gloomy, people tend to cut back on travel, dining out and big purchases.
    Staff reports, USA Today, 7 June 2026
  • Rolling the dice As insurance costs climb, many homeowners are postponing major life decisions and cutting back elsewhere.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • The British newspaper reported that Hockney is believed to have turned down a knighthood on several occasions and is said to have once refused an invitation to paint the late Queen Elizabeth.
    Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
  • In February, he was turned down for another job.
    Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Crews knocked down hot spots inside the containment lines, slowing the fire’s spread.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
  • While the sticker shock of what is typically a $13 trip enraged the masses—the price was initially announced at $150 in April, before it got knocked down to 98 bucks in the face of public backlash—some observers, particularly those from Europe, scoffed at all the outrage.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 11 June 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.

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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 15 Jun. 2026.

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