winnow

verb

Definition of winnownext
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

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 winnow The World Cup’s final week is expected to pack a punch as the global field of contenders is winnowed to two. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 July 2026 But for three contests — Assembly District 67, Assembly District 68 and Assembly District 72 — the June 2 primary was needed to winnow the field. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 7 July 2026 The first knockout round continues through Friday night, when the field will be winnowed to 16 teams. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 The council winnowed that list down to five finalists who interviewed for the post last week ahead of Monday’s vote. — Mary Ramsey updated June 22, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for winnow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winnow
  1. cull
  2. pare
  3. trim
  4. cut
  5. reduce
  6. sift
Verb
  • Curator Marcus Lobbes developed the concept with Nils Corte and dramaturge Andri Hardmeier, feeding computers about 1,000 images culled from the 15 prior Bayreuth Ring productions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • This strategy was most convincingly implemented in 1997 on Monhegan Island, off the coast of Maine, where residents fed up with Lyme disease hired a sharpshooter to cull all of the deer.
    — Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of cull
Verb
  • Kratos Defense & Security Solutions — The maker of unmanned systems for the military rose as much as 8% postmarket before paring that advance.
    — Darla Mercado, CFP®,Fred Imbert, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But the necessity of paring down such a massive event has the effect of flattening the very elements that ought to give it its texture and heft — namely, the people involved.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
Definition of pare
Verb
  • Use sharp tools to trim blooms close to the stalk and avoid cutting off buds.
    — Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Haskell's team is also staying high in quality and coupons, trimming lower-coupon exposures in favor of those that are upward of 5% that the firm thinks are better poised to handle periods of market uncertainty.
    — Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of trim
Verb
  • However, a dangerous push to cut these crucial programs, especially in Africa, risks repeating past errors and ceding influence to competitors.
    — James K. Glassman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Sears carried it wide, cut inside center-back Rafaelle, and fired past Moorhouse for the goal.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • Studies show that drinking more fluid—preferably water—can significantly reduce the risk of stone formation and recurrence.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The White Worm, who styled herself as a peacetime consigliere, is reduced to obsolescence by the promise of all-out war.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • But the fire this time was started by a son, which led to raging misfortunes that consumed his three brothers one by one, leaving only ashen memories for his surviving sister and aged parents to sift through.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Every week, someone had to physically retrieve the cards, download the images, and sift through them by hand — a process that could take weeks or even months.
    — Laurie Mermet, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of sift

Browse Nearby Words

winnings
winnow
winnowed
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Cite this Entry

“Winnow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winnow. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of winnow for Spanish Speakers

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