as in cuts
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 whittles
Throughout the regular season, the league evaluates those 70 people and whittles the larger list down to the top 40 (20 referees paired with 20 linespeople).
—
Sean Gentille, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Typically, Cameron whittles his selections for each part down to five or six actors based on recommendations and audition tapes, and not only meets with them but tries to create some of the circumstances that will be replicated on set.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2025
Sean Gentille, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Typically, Cameron whittles his selections for each part down to five or six actors based on recommendations and audition tapes, and not only meets with them but tries to create some of the circumstances that will be replicated on set.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittles
Verb
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The central bank cuts rates to stimulate the economy, but that can reignite inflation, especially when commodity prices like oil surge or supply chains are disrupted.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
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Penned in partnership with long-time Riva collaborator Officina Italiana Design, the flybridge yacht cuts a sleek, dynamic silhouette with sporty lines and expansive glazing.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Joe Rodon clips a pass over the top of the Brentford defence for Calvert-Lewin to contest.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
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The holder clips right to your pack or waders and keeps everything in a neat, easy-to-dispense stack.—
Francesca Krempa,
Outside,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Big refiners and the ethanol lobby contend that E15 helps farmers and lowers prices at the pump.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
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That level of accuracy is what triggers panic and lowers your guard.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Designed by Sam Burch Architects, the house takes a familiar Mediterranean look and pares it back, using the natural setting to do alot of the heavy lifting.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
6 Apr. 2026
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Marvel Avengers Expansion Impressions The biggest strength of the Marvel Multiverse Role Playing Game expansions continues to be succinct writing that pares down decades of comic book history into a short but informative chapter.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The loss snaps Boston’s three-game win streak and drops the club back into sole possession of last place.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
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If the pressure suddenly drops or rises, the app instantly sends a notification.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Advertisement The court's decision not only curtails a policy Trump has repeatedly credited with strengthening American leverage abroad, but also carries major financial and legal consequences.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
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Think of this as the pessimistic, narrower option, where the greenhouse effect curtails the zone's inner edge and the loss of carbon dioxide from a planetary atmosphere marks its outer edge.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The moonless nights of mid-May are a fantastic time to spot the glowing band of the Milky Way arching across the spring sky, before the encroaching twilight of the summer months shortens the viewing window.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
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The new, shorter course (who comes in and shortens a course?—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The system enables closed-loop recycling, which extends material life cycles and reduces cotton emissions and pollution.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
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Oatmeal's beta-glucan fiber helps curb hunger, supports weight loss, and reduces harmful visceral fat.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whittles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittles. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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