whittle (down)

Definition of whittle (down)next
See the Dictionary Definition 

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittle (down)
Verb
  • Ariel is not the only institution cutting back on its Sphere exposure.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 15 May 2026
  • Even consumers who can afford to spend are anxious and cutting back on nonessential purchases, leaving many businesses empty.
    Malak Harb, Fortune, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • To overcome it, most people are able to focus on a single speaker's voice, which cues the brain to amplify that sound and turn down the rest.
    Jon Hamilton, NPR, 14 May 2026
  • The opportunity to interview these people would never have been turned down by other organizations, but there was also a sense that these dictators and terrorists and authoritarians were realizing that CNN were giving them this unfiltered platform to speak to the American people.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 May 2026
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

Cite this Entry

“Whittle (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittle%20%28down%29. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster