whittle down
phrasal verb
whittled down; whittling down; whittles down
: to gradually make (something) smaller by removing parts
We whittled the list down to four people.
Examples of whittle down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mackers, as presented in Say Nothing, is less fictionalized than whittled down.
—
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
Two finalists competed for the title -- whittled down from eight earlier in the year -- Harding and Matias de Matthaeis of Red Oak Restaurant at Saracen Casino.
—Cary Jenkins, arkansasonline.com, 4 Nov. 2024
This revelation sped up gameplay as the correct cards were whittled down much more quickly during play.
—Rob Wieland, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream is perfect for whittling down your skin-care regimen.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whittle down 
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Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
Two finalists competed for the title -- whittled down from eight earlier in the year -- Harding and Matias de Matthaeis of Red Oak Restaurant at Saracen Casino.
—Cary Jenkins, arkansasonline.com, 4 Nov. 2024
This revelation sped up gameplay as the correct cards were whittled down much more quickly during play.
—Rob Wieland, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream is perfect for whittling down your skin-care regimen.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whittle down
Dictionary Entries Near whittle down
Cite this Entry
“Whittle down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whittle%20down. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
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