whittle away

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.

At first, she was content to whittle away at her debt by making the minimum payments for perhaps two decades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 22, 2025

Then, as Joe tries and fails to whittle away at Brontë’s sense of self in a bid to regain her affections, he realizes that he has lost control.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2025

This multistep framework has enabled Los Angeles to propose bold, acclaimed reforms in its original plan only to whittle away its most effective provisions in the following years.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2024

"If you don't feel exhilarated by it, it's a slog. It's a really, really dreadful way to whittle away your life unless you love it," he says.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2024

"Oh, this will do," answered the school-master, picking up a pine stick and beginning to whittle away vigorously.

From St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, May, 1878, No. 7. Scribner's Illustrated by Dodge, Mary Mapes