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
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cull
Robin Pogrebin, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Further culls within the executive branch are likely.
—Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
Olivia Ferrari, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025
According to Peabody, the total of 68 nominees were culled from a list of 1,000 entries in all categories; the final nods were chosen by a unanimous vote of 27 jurors.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cull
Noun
The development department at the Kennedy Center has a staff of roughly 70, a number that reflects the scope and significance of the fund-raising effort but also one that is likely to draw some scrutiny from a White House whose willingness to cull staff has been more than aggressive.
—Robin Pogrebin, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Further culls within the executive branch are likely.
—Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
If a country sets hunting quotas to manage wolf populations, for example, individual farmers would be allowed to cull wolves in their area.
—Olivia Ferrari, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025
According to Peabody, the total of 68 nominees were culled from a list of 1,000 entries in all categories; the final nods were chosen by a unanimous vote of 27 jurors.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cull
Noun
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The discards soon ended up in a massive tank that mimics a cow’s digestion — minus the release of gassy byproducts — where they were turned into compost and renewable energy.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2025
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The Nigerian firm’s approach reduces plastic pollution and increases reliable employment for waste pickers while promoting sustainability by turning discards into useful elements.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Sep. 2019
Verb
-
Haliburton started his career in Sacramento after the Kings selected him out of Iowa State with the No. 12 pick in the 2020 NBA draft.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2025
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Travis Hunter's Week 1 Opponent One of the biggest storylines of the NFL draft was the Jacksonville Jaguars trading up to select Travis Hunter, a WR/CB hybrid, second overall.—
Seth Quinn,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Noun
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By comparison, Witt circled the bases in 14.3 seconds to register the fastest inside-the-park homer since August 2017.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2025
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Without excusing Weinstein’s thuggish qualities for a second, Evans was never the physical caricature of the studio exec.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
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The fact that the high court chose this case to discuss universal injunctions could mean a majority want to reaffirm their use, said Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
12 May 2025
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After picking, vinification was gentle and at low temperatures for many producers, who also chose to steer clear of using excessive new oak for aging.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Noun
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The modern reject rejects the academic consensus on everything from the science of vaccines to the benefits of free trade.—
Zack Beauchamp,
Vox,
12 Mar. 2025
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Still, the rejects are legion: Amy Sedaris, Tiffany Haddish, Jim Carrey, Nick Kroll, Aubrey Plaza, John Goodman, Geena Davis, Jennifer Aniston, Andrea Martin, Zach Galifianakis, Paul Reubens.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Musical fans will likely have a bone to pick with you, though.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
9 May 2025
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The Costas’ method for picking a retirement spot was distinctly personal.—
William P. Barrett,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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The man took the books from the Beachwood branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) in early April, only to later post a video of himself burning the books on social media, according to a May 2 police report viewed by USA TODAY.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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One of our last photos of him was taken inside that diner, grinning at us over an orange coffee cup.—
Gwen Rockwood,
Arkansas Online,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cull. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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