WHITTLES Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

whittles

verb

present tense third-person singular of whittle

as in cuts

to cause to diminish gradually by or as if by cutting off bits with a knife He was sitting on the porch, whittling a stick.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of whittles Specifically, retinol smooths fine lines, lessens wrinkle depth, and whittles the appearance of large pores. — Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 29 May 2026 Throughout the regular season, the league evaluates those 70 people and whittles the larger list down to the top 40 (20 referees paired with 20 linespeople). — Sean Gentille, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026 Typically, Cameron whittles his selections for each part down to five or six actors based on recommendations and audition tapes, and not only meets with them but tries to create some of the circumstances that will be replicated on set. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whittles

Verb

That cuts a contrast to Nepal, where authorities and other sources have provided more frequent updates.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Miranda Hope says in a scene as the trailer cuts to a shot of Paul sobbing and being hugged by Neeley, Mikayla Matthews and Jessi Draper.

— Selome Hailu, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of cuts

Verb

All of my essentials are packed in my Stowaway, which clips into my weekender as a bag organizer, and can clip out to be worn on its own as a crossbody when walking around during the day or as a clutch when going out in the evening.

— Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 16 July 2026
This compact tote folds into a small pouch that clips directly onto your keys and expands into a functional bag when needed.

— Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026

Definition of clips

Verb

Policy support improves a company’s commercial prospects and lowers some of the risks associated with long-term technology investment, said Wang at Hutong Research.

— Anniek Bao,Elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
If competition lowers costs, why have electric bills not fallen?

— Joshua Macey, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of lowers

Verb

The Las Vegas spectacle, which opened to the public in August 2025, already blows audiences around with tornado-force wind, shakes them with haptic seats, sends giant winged monkeys flying overhead and drops hundreds of foam apples from the ceiling.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Charged drops, the team notes in the paper, form naturally in clouds, thunderstorms, ocean waves, fountains, and waterfalls, as well as in industrial processes like electrostatic spraying and inkjet printing.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of drops

Verb

The structural design curtails the necessity for active safety mechanisms, electronic trip switches, or manual operator control interventions during an operational deviation.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
India’s neighbors are seeking additional fuel from New Delhi as the war in the Middle East curtails access to energy supplies from the Persian Gulf, giving Asia’s third-largest economy an opportunity to build goodwill across the region.

— Swati Gupta, Bloomberg, 13 Mar. 2026

Definition of curtails

Verb

Uneven tire wear that shortens tire life and affects handling.

— Michael Kurko, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
At the same time, incoming lithium causes graphite particles to swell, pushing against surrounding materials and generating internal mechanical stress that shortens battery lifespan.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026