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.
If you have a highly concentrated stock allocation with large built-up gains, you can gradually whittle down your position and use the $6,000 deduction to minimize or cancel the tax hit, Adams says.
From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026
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
“American Primeval” “As always, this is one of the tougher categories to whittle down, but my favorite of the year remains ‘The Penguin.’
From Los Angeles Times • May 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
He’s trying to whittle something using a pocketknife.
From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti
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Vocabulary lists containing whittle
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker
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100 SAT words Beginning with W,X,Y, and Z
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