as in to cut down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittle (down)
Verb
-
It's designed to fit comfortably in your hand and glide perfectly with your favorite body oils, cutting down surface friction while easing muscle tension.—
Allure,
Allure,
14 Apr. 2025 -
The decision by the appeal court Friday could be appealed by the National Treasury Employees Union, which brought the lawsuit against acting CFPB director and Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought over the actions of the agency to cut down its size.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
During one session at Palace’s training ground in Beckenham, a young attacker took the ball down the flank, beat his man and cut back in-field to do so again.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The uncertainty of tariffs and growing recession fears could also weigh on McDonald's sales, if consumers cut back on their Big Macs and McNuggets.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,Annika Kim Constantino,Leslie Josephs,Ari Levy,Amelia Lucas,Melissa Repko,Hugh Son,Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Brighton turned down two significant bids from Saudi Arabia for the Japan international at the end of last week What type of offer might be enticing to Brighton and also to Mitoma?—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Last month, the Trump administration also turned down a request from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp for a second deadline extension to apply for relief from the state following Hurricane Helene.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Whittle (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittle%20%28down%29. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share