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filter 1 of 2

verb

Definition of filternext
1
as in to strain
to pass through a filter steep the tea and then filter it to get rid of the leaves

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to clarify
to remove usually visible impurities from after frying the chicken, we filtered the oil and kept it in the refrigerator to use again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

filter

2 of 2

noun

as in purifier

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of filter
Verb
The light and airy sunscreen is formulated with La Roche-Posay’s signature Cell-Ox Shield, pairing broad-spectrum UVA/UVB filters with an antioxidant complex to shield skin from both sunburn and the free-radical damage that drives premature aging. — Alison Abbey Hudak, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 Nick Wosika / Imagn Images The positive message filtering out of the clubhouse has been the same all year. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
Drinking plain water helps your kidneys filter waste and prevents dehydration, which are essential for kidney health. — Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2026 After pureeing, transfer the pumpkin to a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter and set it over a bowl. — Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for filter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filter
  1. strain
  2. clarify
  3. purifier
  4. screen
  5. refine
  6. clarifier
  7. extract
  8. refiner
Verb
  • China’s growth target is already its lowest since 1991, and the economic picture is darkened further by a real estate downturn that is straining local government finances and undercutting spending capacity, Goldman Sachs said in a note to clients.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • In the years that followed, the family relationships viewers once watched on television became increasingly strained, with some of those disputes eventually playing out in public.
    — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of strain
Verb
  • School president Wade Rousse issued a measured statement Friday morning and voted to clarify and enforce the SEC rule against signing former pro players.
    — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Before the conversation becomes a contest of wills, clarify what each person wants and which decision needs to be made now.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of clarify
Noun
  • This air purifier can help cut down on dust, pollen, and pet dander, while this cordless vacuum keeps floors free of everyday messes.
    — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Both models use Fresh-In to actively draw outdoor air into the room and filter it before delivery, rather than simply recirculating existing indoor air like a conventional air purifier.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of purifier
Verb
  • But immigrants in Miami are forced to wait hours before guards let them get screened, letting people into the lobby to scan their items through the X-ray machines in groups around the time of their hearings.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than prohibit every version of the display, the board expressly invited the Heuers to propose dimming, shielding or screening the lights, reducing their number or directing them downward.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of screen
Verb
  • The team is actively refining the thickness, layout, and aspect ratios of the metallic shells to maximize protection while minimizing weight, a critical factor for rocket payloads.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • More experiments are needed to refine the design and improve the material’s energy absorption, but these initial results are promising.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of refine
Noun
  • Besides toning color, this shampoo acts as a gentle clarifier, removing product buildup from the roots and hair that can make your hair appear dull and greasy.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 25 June 2026
  • One began in March after the department received an anonymous complaint about a valve on an aqua ammonia clarifier tank, not the same tank involved in the explosion, the department said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Definition of clarifier
Verb
  • Institute of Process Engineering (CAS), alongside Ganfeng Lithium, has launched the world’s first 500-tonne annual capacity production line in Jiangxi province to extract rubidium and cesium from lithium mining waste.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026
  • True economic success in 2026 isn’t about extracting the last dollar from a negative-margin middle class.
    — Katica Roy, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of extract
Noun
  • The country's largest refiner Marathon Petroleum combines maximum asset utilization with the financial cushion of a 64% ownership stake in its midstream master limited partnership, MPLX .
    — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Sinopec, the world’s largest oil refiner, posted a surge in profit for the first half of the year, reaching nearly $4 billion despite the company’s heavy reliance on crude from the Persian Gulf.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of refiner

Browse Nearby Words

filmy
filter
filtered
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Cite this Entry

“Filter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filter. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about filter

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