whittle
verb (used with object)
to cut, trim, or shape (a stick, piece of wood, etc.) by carving off bits with a knife.
has whittled
-
present perfectof whittle (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
Over his tenure, the company has whittled itself to a fraction of its former size in the pursuit of greater shareholder value.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 8, 2026
Labour has whittled down its search to replace Jeremy Corbyn as a general election candidate in his north London seat to two people.
From BBC ● May 23, 2024
The move seems to signal an end to realignment among the nation’s wealthiest and most powerful college athletic conferences after three years of turbulent movement that has whittled the so-called Power Five down to four.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 1, 2023
The board has whittled down the options to three proposed maps, all of which create a majority Latino district as well as a district encompassing many Asian American voters.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2021
We were a pretty big section once, but Thurston's virus has whittled us down.
From Pandemic by Jesse F. (Jesse Franklin) Bone
