as in to cut
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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of whittle
Judges will whittle these down to the 100 images that will feature in the museum’s exhibition before announcing the category winners as well as the Grand Title and Young Grand Title awards on October 14.
—
Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Whereas the tiny blades on a traditional multitool might whittle a tree branch, the V3 will take down the whole tree, split it into firewood and dig the bonfire pit.
—New Atlas, 25 July 2025
Following jury questioning, attorneys whittled the group of 23 prospective jurors questioned down to a group of 15.
—Ingrid Harbo, Twin Cities, 15 July 2025
Penetration of the once-ubiquitous service has been whittled to 36% of all U.S. TV households, down from a high of 91%.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for whittle
Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Whereas the tiny blades on a traditional multitool might whittle a tree branch, the V3 will take down the whole tree, split it into firewood and dig the bonfire pit.
—New Atlas, 25 July 2025
Following jury questioning, attorneys whittled the group of 23 prospective jurors questioned down to a group of 15.
—Ingrid Harbo, Twin Cities, 15 July 2025
Penetration of the once-ubiquitous service has been whittled to 36% of all U.S. TV households, down from a high of 91%.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for whittle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittle
Verb
-
The junior wideout slipped loose into the secondary, breaking free for a 51-yard touchdown reception as the Harbormen cut things to a 21-13 game.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The Fed may have seen the quarter-point interest rate cut on September 17 as necessary because the labor market is flagging.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Having a good grooming regimen is also recommended to ensure the dog's nails are clipped, their ears are cleaned, and the coat is brushed thoroughly.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The carry handles each have a magnetic piece that then clips together to form a single bar to grasp.—
Adam Campbell-Schmitt,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Inspiron branding of the past is gone, pared down to a faint Dell logo on the lid, and nowhere else.—
Charles Jefferies,
PC Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
-
In response, companies are paring back.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If too high, the economy slows down, and employment typically drops.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Generally, the weather begins to cool down in late September as temperatures begin to drop below 70 degrees.—
Jordan Green,
Nashville Tennessean,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Increasingly, the result is that personal responsibility has been curtailed, especially in government.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Carlsbad was the first city in the region to pass local laws to curtail reckless riding and address other unsafe use of e-bikes, officials said.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittle. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share