chipping

VERB

knock a piece out of

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chop crack hack nick splinter whack

STRONG

break chisel clip crumble damage flake fragment gash hackle hew incise notch shape shear slash slice sliver snick snip split whittle

WEAK

crack off cut away cut off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fix mend

STRONG

build combine increase join put together

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.

“When I’m saying diversifying, that is chipping away at it year over year.”

From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026

Researchers say these asymmetrical designs demonstrate that the toolmakers understood how to manage the stones as three-dimensional objects rather than simply chipping away randomly.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2026

The wealthy but suddenly unmoored LIV golfers have been left to scramble like a weekend hacker trying to salvage a bogey after chipping into a sand trap.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

They are also in European action this week but with Chris 'the Woodchopper' Wood back up front, I can see them chipping away at Chelsea and earning another valuable point.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

She kept chipping away, trying to crack me open.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx