whit·tle
ˈ(h)wi-tᵊl 
whittled; whittling
ˈ(h)wi-tᵊl-iŋ
ˈ(h)wit-liŋ
1
a
: to pare or cut off chips from the surface of (wood) with a knife
b
: to shape or form by so paring or cutting
2
: to reduce, remove, or destroy gradually as if by cutting off bits with a knife : pare
whittle down expenses
1
: to cut or shape something (such as wood) by or as if by paring it with a knife
2
: to wear oneself or another out with fretting
archaic
: a large knife
Examples of whittle in a Sentence
Verb
He was sitting on the porch, whittling a stick.
She whittled a walking stick from a maple tree branch.
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrew Sharp, Outdoor Life, 27 Nov. 2024
The current field of eight remaining drivers in the playoffs will be whittled to four by the results of Sunday’s race.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
In the wake of the victory, Phillips reflected on the Dodgers’ current situation in the standings — where their once nine-game lead was whittled to as little as two games a couple weeks ago.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2024
The best time for the Cardinals to strike was the third inning when a big hit could have whittled deeper into a 5-0 deficit.
—Katie Woo, The Athletic, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whittle 
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Verb
Virginia promised the Natives land, and then whittled it away to a fraction.
—Andrew Sharp, Outdoor Life, 27 Nov. 2024
The current field of eight remaining drivers in the playoffs will be whittled to four by the results of Sunday’s race.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
In the wake of the victory, Phillips reflected on the Dodgers’ current situation in the standings — where their once nine-game lead was whittled to as little as two games a couple weeks ago.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2024
The best time for the Cardinals to strike was the third inning when a big hit could have whittled deeper into a 5-0 deficit.
—Katie Woo, The Athletic, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whittle
Dictionary Entries Near whittle
Cite this Entry
“Whittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whittle. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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