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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Wilkerson then took over and trimmed it down to a traditional chevron mustache, before eventually whittling his facial hair completely away for a clean-shaven look.
—
Gil MacIas, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Those are just some of the frivolous expenses that actor Al Pacino details in his new memoir, Sonny Boy, expenditures that eventually whittled his fortune down from $50 million to nothing.
—Sharon Olson, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Unlike 2024, which began the year with six weekends without wide releases (that ultimately was whittled to one), 2025 kicks off with only three weekends sans wide entries: January 3, October 31 and December 12.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2024
The team whittled the entries down to a selection of 45, which were then put to a judging panel that selected the overall winner as well as nine category winners.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whittle 
Gil MacIas, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Those are just some of the frivolous expenses that actor Al Pacino details in his new memoir, Sonny Boy, expenditures that eventually whittled his fortune down from $50 million to nothing.
—Sharon Olson, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Unlike 2024, which began the year with six weekends without wide releases (that ultimately was whittled to one), 2025 kicks off with only three weekends sans wide entries: January 3, October 31 and December 12.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2024
The team whittled the entries down to a selection of 45, which were then put to a judging panel that selected the overall winner as well as nine category winners.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whittle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittle
Verb
-
It’s been swinging since the Federal Reserve began cutting its main interest rate sharply from September intending to make borrowing cheaper, help the economy and boost prices for stocks, bonds and other investments.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Then, prune overgrown trees and shrubs, trim tall grasses and weedy areas, mow regularly to keep your lawn cut close, and consider calling a chimney sweep to clean out your chimney.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Iowa State, a team that clipped KU 74-57 on Jan. 15 in Ames, will meet Kansas in an ESPN Big Monday contest at Allen Fieldhouse.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
2 Feb. 2025
-
Just clip it on to secure the zipper or luggage cord; then, twist and unclasp it to open.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Shares pared gains slightly to trade up 4.18% by 9:00 a.m. London time.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2025
-
Other Asia-Pacific markets were mostly still up on news that the Canadian and Mexican tariffs had been put on hold, CNBC reported, though stocks in the Chinese territory of Hong Kong pared gains.—
Jennifer Jett,
NBC News,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Immigrant student attendance drops slightly at JCPS in wake of ICE policy change Why a JCPS board member wants to limit cell phone use in schools Pollio raises concerns about TARC drivers taking advantage of JCPS partnership JCPS is a 'Safe Haven' district.—
Krista Johnson,
The Courier-Journal,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Georgiou asks, forcing Alok to drop his drug-dealing cover.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
However, even going forward, this will likely severely curtail biomedical research in the US.—
John Timmer,
Ars Technica,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump issued orders to slash diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the federal level as well as curtail DEI programs by federal contractors and grant recipients.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near whittle
Cite this Entry
“Whittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittle. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share