as in to cut down
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Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittle (down)
Verb
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So the big question really is, how much do these higher costs including groceries, airfare, how much does that force households to ultimately cut back?—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026 -
High school coaches cut back on mileage and intensity in response to charges that runners were burning out in their teens.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The younger brother had turned down a plea deal in 2023 from the state’s attorney to serve 25 years behind bars for the charge of accessory to murder.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
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The board turned down the move to conduct its own investigation, reasoning there’s no need for it because top state education officials are already handling it.—
Natalie La Roche Pietri,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Whittle (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whittle%20%28down%29. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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