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 Through it all, Democrats showed no collective ability to recruit other, better contenders into the race, winnow the field, or even produce one or two candidates that voters were genuinely excited about. — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026 Swalwell’s exit left no clear Democratic frontrunner — and efforts by party leaders to winnow the field went unheeded. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 2 June 2026 The field will be winnowed to two finalists, with a vote of the circuit judges determining the winner. — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026 Notably, voters will winnow a crowded field of candidates for governor down to two. — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 7 May 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
  • Interiors are accented with design touches culled from the pair’s travels to Morocco, India, and Europe, while cyclone-resistant walls of glass provide a seamless connection to the tropical surroundings.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 July 2026
  • So what else can be lost alongside the military culling diversity from its ranks?
    — Adam Harris, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026
Definition of cull
Verb
  • The decline primarily stems from Goldman's sale of its Apple credit card business to JPMorgan — a smart move to pare back its consumer banking ambitions.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 14 July 2026
  • However, Stewart started paring down her business in recent years.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of pare
Verb
  • That includes a bath with breed-appropriate shampoo, a blow-dry and brush-out, a haircut or trim based on breed and preference, nail clipping and filing, ear cleaning and eye area cleaning.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • At 14 songs and 62 minutes, the album would have benefited from trimming three or four of the more generic tunes.
    — Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of trim
Verb
  • But hotels in Miami or Fort Lauderdale aren’t as desperate now to cut them.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
  • Clean larger produce, like melons, with a brush and cut away any bruised or damaged portions.
    — Alex Nettles, AJC.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • Derived from a Central African shrub, the drug's ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings were uncovered by accident, when Howard Lotsof, a 19-year old addicted to heroin, tried ibogaine out of curiosity in 1962.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Displaying tactical discipline and superior talent, the English national team defeated Mexico 3-2 with a lineup reduced to 10 men on Sunday night.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • Leave a few inches of stalk attached to the tuber, but sift off all the dirt and trim back the roots.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
  • For Warsh, all of these data points, plus others from various agencies, present a complicated mosaic that his task forces will have to sift through.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 1 July 2026
Definition of sift

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winnow
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Cite this Entry

“Winnow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winnow. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of winnow for Spanish Speakers

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