process of elimination
noun phrase
: the act of considering and rejecting each possible choice until only one is left
She figured out who he was by (the) process of elimination.
Examples of process of elimination in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Probably not happening This exercise is, in some ways, a process of elimination.
—
Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Based on process of elimination and some undeniably sinister vibes, Amber felt like a reasonably safe bet.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Initially, the search operation centred on the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca; but investigators later established (using satellite data, and a process of elimination) that MH370 turned sharply again and flew on for hours, to the southern Indian Ocean.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 22 Feb. 2026
Doctors use a process of elimination to diagnose chronic hives, rather than a single test.
—Zia Sherrell, Health, 20 Feb. 2026
Using the process of elimination, work your way down the list until your start-up problem is remedied.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 1 Feb. 2026
The easiest way to label America’s new political system might be through the process of elimination.
—Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Creating the scent — with Amber as his favorite note — was a process of elimination.
—Lizzie Hyman, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
In that situation, which is what unfolded on Election Night, a process of elimination crowns the top vote-getter after all other ballots have been redistributed to the leading candidates based on second-choice, third-choice or even fourth-choice picks.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 5 Nov. 2025
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Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Based on process of elimination and some undeniably sinister vibes, Amber felt like a reasonably safe bet.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Initially, the search operation centred on the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca; but investigators later established (using satellite data, and a process of elimination) that MH370 turned sharply again and flew on for hours, to the southern Indian Ocean.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 22 Feb. 2026
Doctors use a process of elimination to diagnose chronic hives, rather than a single test.
—Zia Sherrell, Health, 20 Feb. 2026
Using the process of elimination, work your way down the list until your start-up problem is remedied.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 1 Feb. 2026
The easiest way to label America’s new political system might be through the process of elimination.
—Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Creating the scent — with Amber as his favorite note — was a process of elimination.
—Lizzie Hyman, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
In that situation, which is what unfolded on Election Night, a process of elimination crowns the top vote-getter after all other ballots have been redistributed to the leading candidates based on second-choice, third-choice or even fourth-choice picks.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Process of elimination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/process%20of%20elimination. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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