as in selecting
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities
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Recent Examples of culling
Veterinary experts recommend culling infected animals or isolating them.
—
Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
But even bad songs are tough to whittle into a list and culling some of the worst offenders is highly subjective.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Most human cases have occurred after coming into contact with infected cattle, infected poultry farms or other culling operations.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2025
In most economies, the market would sort out this mess by culling the weakest players.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2025
But the troops won’t be culling the bears – they’re not allowed to under Japanese law.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Now, a controversial management strategy would involve culling more than 15,000 annually.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 3 Nov. 2025
After some pink-slipping and culling (hello, Stephen Colbert) by the previous Shari Redstone regime, Ellison’s Skydance did receive quick regulatory approval of the $8 billion Paramount purchase once the corporate scalpings were done.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
The 'Roadblocks' Hegseth in February fired the top uniformed lawyers, culling the armed forces' most senior ports of call for advice on whether orders are legal.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
But even bad songs are tough to whittle into a list and culling some of the worst offenders is highly subjective.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Most human cases have occurred after coming into contact with infected cattle, infected poultry farms or other culling operations.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2025
In most economies, the market would sort out this mess by culling the weakest players.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2025
But the troops won’t be culling the bears – they’re not allowed to under Japanese law.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Now, a controversial management strategy would involve culling more than 15,000 annually.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 3 Nov. 2025
After some pink-slipping and culling (hello, Stephen Colbert) by the previous Shari Redstone regime, Ellison’s Skydance did receive quick regulatory approval of the $8 billion Paramount purchase once the corporate scalpings were done.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
The 'Roadblocks' Hegseth in February fired the top uniformed lawyers, culling the armed forces' most senior ports of call for advice on whether orders are legal.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culling
Verb
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According to researchers at Penn State’s Materials Research Institute, the characteristics of nanotubes can be precisely tuned by selecting specific atomic compositions.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
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Get the most from your investment by selecting trees that provide year-round beauty.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When choosing a supplement, look for products independently tested or certified by organizations such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), United States Pharmacopeia (USP), or ConsumerLab.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
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But that goes back to choosing whether to make the right decision or the wrong.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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From the costume-picking process to the crazy disguises stars must wear off camera, keep scrolling for the wildest rules contestants on The Masked Singer must follow.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Other photos show them on the sand with their arms around each other and sharing a kiss, with Tatum picking her up and holding her over his head at one point.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Culling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culling. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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