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.

Occidental has since whittled the debt down to $13.3 billion, nearing its target of $10 billion.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

That percentage rises to almost 59% when those fixtures are whittled down to just competitive qualifiers, which after this summer will ultimately have been responsible for taking the Tartan Army to three tournaments.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

In the face of opposition from riders and delays in building charging stations, authorities have since whittled down the proposal to cover just 11 streets spread over 0.5 square kilometres.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

Stanat said the board ordered that 13 positions be cut in the middle of the school year; he whittled the number to seven.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

He managed to tear a flat strip of wood from a nearby log and with his pearl-handled penknife whittled a shapely handle.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig