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
The process of elimination continues until one candidate has secured 50%.
—
Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Whereas Selena exudes ambition, Pete is inexplicably determined not to advance in his job — which is tricky, since Willie keeps killing his superiors, which means Pete’s bound to become captain eventually, if only by process of elimination.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
Mister Fear Mister Fear - one of the four men who have assumed the role in the comics - is a good candidate purely by process of elimination.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
At the end of the day, there was some process of elimination.
—EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025
Then after their first guess, players must use a process of elimination to work out the answer.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
The Warriors don’t have many young players on their roster, so the process of elimination can be pretty specific.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 21 Dec. 2024
How to Play 'Wordle' Players must identify a mystery five-letter word by using a process of elimination to work out the answer.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
These statements have in themselves fueled the idea that via a process of elimination, the sightings must show alien involvement.
—Emma Woollacott, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Whereas Selena exudes ambition, Pete is inexplicably determined not to advance in his job — which is tricky, since Willie keeps killing his superiors, which means Pete’s bound to become captain eventually, if only by process of elimination.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
Mister Fear Mister Fear - one of the four men who have assumed the role in the comics - is a good candidate purely by process of elimination.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
At the end of the day, there was some process of elimination.
—EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025
Then after their first guess, players must use a process of elimination to work out the answer.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
The Warriors don’t have many young players on their roster, so the process of elimination can be pretty specific.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 21 Dec. 2024
How to Play 'Wordle' Players must identify a mystery five-letter word by using a process of elimination to work out the answer.
—Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
These statements have in themselves fueled the idea that via a process of elimination, the sightings must show alien involvement.
—Emma Woollacott, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Process of elimination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/process%20of%20elimination. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share