Synonyms for whittle

Grammar : Verb

Spell : hwit-l, wit-l

Phonetic Transcription : ˈʰwɪt l, ˈwɪt l

Top 10 synonyms for whittle

Other synonyms for the word whittle

Définition of whittle

Origin : 1550s, "to cut thin shavings from (something) with a knife," from Middle English whittel "a knife" (c1400), variant of thwittle (late 14c.), from Old English þwitan "to cut," from Proto-Germanic *thwitanan (cf. Old Norse þveita "to hew"). Figurative sense is attested from 1746. Related: Whittled; whittling.

verb cut away at; reduce

Example sentences :

"Yes; I get a lot of help from you while there's a stick to whittle," replied the smith.
Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr

He taught her to whittle, and how to bear it when she “bleeded.”
Extract from : « The Very Small Person » by Annie Hamilton Donnell

"Here's my knife; let's whittle some shavings," offered Jack.
Extract from : « Boy Scouts Mysterious Signal » by G. Harvey Ralphson

P'raps as a sailor lad yuh could whittle out a pair to answer.
Extract from : « Darry the Life Saver » by Frank V. Webster

Netting is taught, and the soldiers are encouraged to whittle.
Extract from : « Five Lectures on Blindness » by Kate M. Foley

Having got his wife out of the way, Lou sat down on the step and began to whittle.
Extract from : « O Pioneers! » by Willa Cather

Since then, I sit and whittle splints for my admirable wife.
Extract from : « Rita » by Laura E. Richards

When you trade, Ben, don't chew a straw, but sit down and whittle.
Extract from : « Ben Comee » by M. J. (Michael Joseph) Canavan

Let me whittle the bark off the sapling, so it will not hurt your hands.
Extract from : « How Private George W. Peck Put Down The Rebellion » by George W. Peck

He is not good for mooch, but he like that whittle kind of work, I know.
Extract from : « Joyce's Investments » by Fannie E. Newberry

Antonyms for whittle

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019