Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I am getting married next year and my partner and I are whittling down our guest list as we work on sending out save-the-date cards.

From Slate • Aug. 3, 2023

For example, Americans are whittling down the number of people they are giving gifts to, according to data from KPMG.

From New York Times • Dec. 15, 2022

His decisions are whittling away my respect for him, and that is a crummy and jerky way to think about your own dad.

From Washington Post • Sep. 2, 2022

Yet it comes at a time when many hard-up newspapers are whittling down their literary supplements, and getting a freshly minted book noticed amid a torrent of information is harder.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 2, 2016

The father is setting fresh teeth in a wool-card, while the boys are whittling hand-reels and loom-spools.

From Home Life in Colonial Days by Earle, Alice Morse