whittling (down)

verb

Definition of whittling (down)next
present participle of whittle (down)
as in cutting down

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittling (down)
  1. cutting back
  2. turning down
  3. knocking down
Verb
  • Buying Al Nassr would put RedBird at the center of Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion-dollar sports expansion, which had been on a tear before the government began cutting back on spending.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • That means choosing potassium-rich foods that support healthy blood pressure, like lentils and leafy greens, while cutting back on others that cardiologists recommend limiting.
    — Laura Bradley, HEALTH, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of cutting back
Verb
  • John only found peace by giving up the ring, turning down the gig, and forging his own path.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The woman accused of keeping him captive, 58-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, is expected to head to trial after turning down two plea deals during a hearing in Waterbury Superior Court earlier this month.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of turning down
Verb
  • The interceptors are among the few defensive weapons capable of knocking down a ballistic missile, and Zelensky has been vocal about his constant struggle to obtain more stocks.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • As a nation, the United States is moving toward knocking down longstanding walls separating religion and government, often ruling in favor of expanding the rights of religious groups.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of knocking 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.

Browse Nearby Words

whittling
whittling (down)
whiz
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Cite this Entry

“Whittling (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittling%20%28down%29. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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