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
  • An April survey of 300 GLP-1 users by the equity research firm William Blair found that 72% were specifically cutting back on hamburgers.
    — Hallie Jackson, NBC news, 19 July 2026
  • Many consumers are cutting back on alcohol for health reasons.
    — Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 17 July 2026
Definition of cutting back
Verb
  • Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys said the city has spent four years turning down redevelopment offers for Palmetto Research Park in an effort to hold the property for higher-wage employers.
    — John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
  • Value your time by turning down unpaid tasks.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026
Definition of turning down
Verb
  • The pair of earthquakes struck on June 24, knocking down buildings, sending residents fleeing for safety and trapping some survivors under the rubble for days.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • Frazier won by unanimous decision after knocking down Ali in Round 15.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 1 July 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.

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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 22 Jul. 2026.

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