Synonyms of cull

cull 1 of 2

noun

as in discard

something separated from a group or lot for not being as good as the others

the unbruised apples will be packed in bags, and the culls will be used for cider

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discard
• second
• reject
• rejection
• rubbish
• trash
• waste
• scrap
• castaway
• throwaway
• white elephant
• hand-me-down

cull

2 of 2

verb

ˈkəl 

as in to select

to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities

culled the best short stories from the author's body of writings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• select
• choose
• pick
• take
• elect
• prefer
• name
• tag
• designate
• handpick
• cherry-pick
• single (out)
• opt (for)
• nominate
• adopt
• appoint
• accept
• tap
• set
• preselect
• mark
• embrace
• tab
• espouse
• settle (on or upon)
• fix

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• decline
• turn down
• negative
• disapprove
• discard
• repudiate
• throw away
• spurn
• throw out
• jettison

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cull

Noun

Plenty of ongoing projects and experimental solutions are in the works, but one of the easiest ways to cull pythons remains simply going out and nabbing them. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 May 2026

While professionals are commissioned year-round to carry out the cull, once a year the public is invited in on the act. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 May 2026

Verb

The program has been a key pillar of his efforts to cull potentially ineligible voters from state rolls. — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Along with detecting Houston's talent in 1983, Davis culled a coterie of other radio regulars in the '80s and '90s – Thompson Twins, Taylor Dayne and Ace of Base among them – before expanding the Arista empire. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 June 2026