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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittling (down)
Verb
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Renewal pruning is another beneficial technique—cutting back overgrown stems to remove barriers preventing light from reaching inner branches.—
Emily Leahy,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026 -
Eighty percent of Americans are cutting back on spending due to higher gas prices.—
Katica Roy,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Throughout the shutdown, local TSA workers reported turning down doctor visits for their children, borrowing money from in-laws, pulling funds from savings, taking second jobs and missing credit card payments.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
2 May 2026
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He was advised by a judge that turning down the plea bargain and heading to trial exposes him to as many as 37 years in prison.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Repeatedly knocking down small nests may discourage the queen from starting another nest in that spot.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
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The big man has been efficient all playoffs by bulldozing to the rim and finishing, by knocking down trailing 3s and hitting the offensive glass.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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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 6 May. 2026.
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