Synonyms of winnow

winnow

verb

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.

Related Words

• cull
• pare
• trim
• cut
• reduce
• sift
• discard
• jettison
• filter
• slash
• reject
• refuse
• condense
• shorten
• throw away
• prune
• crop
• spurn
• truncate
• shrink
• curtail
• throw out
• turn down
• retrench
• cut down
• repudiate
• abridge
• cut back
• compress
• downsize
• negative
• decrease
• deplete
• decline
• dock
• lessen
• disapprove
• dwindle
• abbreviate
• minimize
• whittle (down)
• ease
• dent
• clip
• abate
• clear
• constrict
• nick
• lower
• knock down
• modulate
• modify
• downscale
• drop
• moderate
• qualify
• distill
• refine
• deflate
• sieve
• purify
• contract
• fine
• process
• de-escalate
• clarify
• screen
• rectify
• bolt
• garble

Dissimilar Words

• select
• pick
• choose
• take
• cull
• elect
• prefer
• set
• appoint
• name
• nominate
• designate
• adopt
• tap
• accept
• single (out)
• opt (for)
• tag
• handpick
• tab
• mark
• fix
• embrace
• preselect
• cherry-pick
• settle (on or upon)
• espouse
• swell
• inflate
• extend
• dilate
• blow up
• add (to)
• prolong
• lengthen
• elongate
• complement
• supplement
• enhance
• intensify
• increase
• expand
• heighten
• augment
• raise
• distend
• amplify
• enlarge
• protract
• redouble
• boost
• escalate
• aggrandize

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of winnow

Stasys, who is considering majoring in finance or business, intends to do his due diligence to winnow down a growing field of suitors. — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

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

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