sift

verb

Definition of siftnext
1
as in to filter

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in to inspect

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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 sift In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, ground ginger and cloves. — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 This might be fine for a night or two to diagnose a sleep disorder, but gathering enough data on enough people to sift out long-term statistical correlations just isn’t feasible. — Mike McRae 17, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026 There’s a lot to sift through, and knowing which pieces are actually worth your cart takes some finesse. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026 Because no human can sift through thousands of XRD patterns a day, the company is developing machine learning algorithms to use XRD and measure the magnetic properties of materials to speed detection of new superconductors. — Alan Patterson, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sift
  1. filter
  2. inspect
  3. sieve
  4. investigate
  5. lay
  6. examine
  7. screen
Verb
  • Beirut's private-press scene has little in common with the studio culture of ’80s Tokyo, where an abundance of resources and technology filtered the same foreign influences into something more perfect and polished.
    — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Inside Clarify Clinic’s proprietary centrifuge machine, which is designed to filter contaminants out of human blood.
    — Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of filter
Verb
  • Animals within that zone must be inspected and, if necessary, treated before being moved.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • City crews have also been clearing more than 31,000 catch basins and drainage systems and inspecting and reinforcing vulnerable hillsides and burn areas, including Pacific Palisades, Bass said in a statement.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of inspect
Verb
  • After sufficient brewing time, pour the tea into the pitcher through a fine mesh filter or sieve to remove the loose leaves or take out and throw out the whole tea bags.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
  • Creativity is not just some commodity, trapped in the imagination, that can be tapped and sieved by technology.
    — John Semley, Wired News, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of sieve
Verb
  • Documenting the location and the robot's identification number can help officials investigate a complaint.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Charlotte Water investigates reports of violations through staff observations and complaints from the public.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of investigate
Verb
  • Not to mention the loss of face this suspension would cause his father, who also worked for the Kuomintang and who’d laid his ministerial connections on the line to make his son’s American education possible.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Children’s Mercy didn’t explicitly lay the blame on a failure to expand Medicaid or the expiration of premium tax credits in the One Big Beautiful Bill.
    — Jack Harvel October 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of lay
Verb
  • Chinese researchers have examined Russia’s use of reconnaissance drones to locate targets and direct strikes.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Investigators examined allegations involving more than 300 victims spanning from 1950 through 2011.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of examine
Verb
  • My Chemical Romance plan to screen the film at two forthcoming Hollywood Bowl shows on October 30 and 31.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Oz asked Geffen to screen it again in LA to make sure this wasn’t an anomaly.
    — Andrew Buss, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of screen

Browse Nearby Words

sieving
sift
sifted
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Cite this Entry

“Sift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sift. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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