whittle

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.

Politicians will be tempted to let inflation whittle them down instead, incinerating the value of very long-term bonds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

They played cards, cooked by the fire and learned how to whittle.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

When you work on other aspects of your 2025 taxes, you may whittle your income down enough to qualify.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

But he added: "When you whittle it down to genuine enquiries and those that are financially qualified there is a much smaller number."

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2025

I had to whittle him a fork out of the crotch of a twig, as Jessie Coon James had gone off with the others.

From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George