whittle (down)

verb

Definition of whittle (down)next
as in to cut down

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittle (down)
  1. cut down
  2. cut back
  3. turn down
Verb
  • If the war does indeed come to an end and oil keeps falling, Warsh might get breathing room for rate cuts down the line.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 16 June 2026
  • Courtesy of the Abu Haikal family Haikal said his family’s own homes have been targeted in settler attacks, including having stones thrown at their home, their crops destroyed, trees cut down and property stolen.
    — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 16 June 2026
Definition of cut down
Verb
  • While many breweries are indeed closing or cutting back, some more expansive taprooms with food options — including 30hop and Big Grove Brewery — are making a splash in the metro.
    — Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
  • That would allow the market to self-correct by cutting back on spending.
    — Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of cut 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 volume in Ballhalla had been turned down to church-youth-league levels.
    — Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of turn 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

whittled (down)
whittle (down)
whittles
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Cite this Entry

“Whittle (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittle%20%28down%29. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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