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
  • If most of the films fall short of profit, what’s to stop a studio from cutting back on supply and cost?
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Americans are cutting back on spending amid economic concerns.
    — Emily Guskin, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of cutting back
Verb
  • Watch Ringwald — who stars in One Night Only, in theaters Friday— discuss turning down Ghost in the video above.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Here are six signs that turning down a job offer deserves serious consideration.
    — Kathy Caprino, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of turning down
Verb
  • With those numbers, the WNBA should be knocking down Tétart's door, right?
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Winds gusted up to 80 miles per hour, bowing palm trees and knocking down power lines that sparked the fires.
    — Angus Chen, STAT, 22 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 11 Aug. 2026.

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