What is another word for whittled away?
Pronunciation: [wˈɪtə͡ld ɐwˈe͡ɪ] (IPA) 
The phrase "whittled away" refers to the gradual reduction or diminishment of something, and there are a variety of synonyms that suitably capture this meaning. Some of these include "eroded," "wasted," "depleted," "diminished," "reduced," "trimmed," "dwindled," "narrowed," "weakened," "shrank," and "consumed." Each of these words conveys a sense of loss, either of material resources or of abstract concepts like time, attention, or energy. These synonyms can be used interchangeably with "whittled away" depending on the context and tone of the writing, and they all serve to underscore the gradual nature of the decline being described.
