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
  • The country does currently have a shark culling program, but some are calling for the program’s expansion in light of recent attacks.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 14 July 2026
  • 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
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
  • Even the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are still sitting on a huge haul of future draft capital, had to start trimming their supporting cast this offseason because Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams’ max extensions kicked in.
    — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • The pate uses trim such as collars and tails, which are double smoked, much like classic barbecue burnt ends.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of trim
Verb
  • The first due to a slip from Porro, which allowed Andy Robertson to cut the ball back for McTominay.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • The Odyssey’s crew is full of longtime Nolan collaborators, from cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, who has worked with Nolan since Interstellar, to editor Jennifer Lame, who previously cut Tenet and Oppenheimer.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 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
  • The water passes over or through filtering organs that sift out the solid food.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 July 2026
  • The film, which is set to debut at this year’s Fantasia Film Festival, allowed Taylor to sift through all of Johnson’s work in order to help tell his story.
    — William Earl, Variety, 14 July 2026
Definition of sift

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Cite this Entry

“Winnow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winnow. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on winnow

Nglish: Translation of winnow for Spanish Speakers

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