Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittling (down)
Verb
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Throughout 2025, wealthy consumers maintained spending on services, while the broader consumer base became increasingly price-conscious, prioritizing smaller-ticket items and cutting back on big-ticket purchases such as electronics and furniture.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026 -
Others were made by cutting back native vegetation to widen existing walking paths.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When asked about the best techniques for defusing tense encounters while still maintaining the right to protect, civil rights advocates in Connecticut are generally recommending online training in turning down the heat on face-to-face encounters with ICE agents or counter-protestors.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
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Torquing and turning down a mountain at 85 miles per hour without an ACL – its sole anatomical purpose is to connect the femur to the tibia and protect the bones from shifting – is, at best, not recommended and, at worst, slightly reckless.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Well, the two-time Eastern Conference rookie of the month is one of only two players in the NBA this season who’s averaging 15 points and five rebounds per game while knocking down at least 42% from 3-point range.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
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South San Joaquin County Fire Authority However, after knocking down the flames, fire officials say crews found a person dead inside the shop.—
Cecilio Padilla,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 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 15 Feb. 2026.
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