as in to cull
to remove less desirable choices from a group or list
They winnowed the pool of applicants down to a few of the strongest candidates. I tried to winnow out the options that weren't a good value for the price.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of winnow
Sundance winnowed them down to the 67 that could meet a variety of requirements, including adequate screening and lodging locations and proximity to a sizable international airport.
—
Nicole Sperling, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Michigan State slowly but surely chipped away, winnowing the Lobos’ early 10-point lead to two by halftime, then wresting away control in the second half.
—Justin Williams, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
This week, the Red Sox winnowed down the group by optioning Grissom to minor league camp on Wednesday.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
That list was winnowed in December to three corridors, including what is known as the Southwestern Grid Connector — which would run up the eastern edge of New Mexico, scrape the western edge of the Oklahoma panhandle and pierce the southeast corner of Colorado.
—John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for winnow
Nicole Sperling, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Michigan State slowly but surely chipped away, winnowing the Lobos’ early 10-point lead to two by halftime, then wresting away control in the second half.
—Justin Williams, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
This week, the Red Sox winnowed down the group by optioning Grissom to minor league camp on Wednesday.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
That list was winnowed in December to three corridors, including what is known as the Southwestern Grid Connector — which would run up the eastern edge of New Mexico, scrape the western edge of the Oklahoma panhandle and pierce the southeast corner of Colorado.
—John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for winnow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winnow
Verb
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The most effective uses of AI in STEM subjects include rapidly culling, synthesizing, organizing, and collecting data.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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Some Democrats are borrowing the tactic and pressing to use the Congressional Review Act to push back on Mr. Trump’s executive actions, including his move to cull the federal work force.—
Maya C. Miller,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Verb
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As the summer heats up, Greenblatt is paring back her beauty routine.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
16 May 2025
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After devoting two nights to dramas last fall, Fox has pared back to one night — Tuesdays — of hour-long shows along with its usual Sunday animation block.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2025
Verb
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The company also trimmed a smaller percentage of underperforming locations than Walmart has.—
,
CNBC,
19 May 2025
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The canvas tote is trimmed in green leather, adding a subtle splash of color to the versatile bag.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Republican bill cuts Medicaid for unemployed, undocumented children, Planned Parenthood How much do Americans rely on programs like Medicaid and Social Security?—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Vought compared it to the 1997 Balanced Budget Agreement, which, at the time, cut spending by over $200 billion and did as the name suggests.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2025
Verb
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An estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the proposals would reduce the number of people with health care by at least 7.6 million from the Medicaid changes, and possibly more with other changes to the Affordable Care Act.—
Kevin Freking,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2025
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In Sacramento, California, the weather service warned its office would have reduced staffing overnight.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Residents sift through wreckage Some neighborhoods in London, the Laurel County seat, saw total devastation -- homes blown away in the middle of the night, with residents huddling in hallways and basements.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
17 May 2025
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Nearly 1,950 years later, archaeologists are still sifting through the layers of debris and making remarkable discoveries about life—and death—in the ancient city.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Winnow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winnow. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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