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
• trim
• cut
• pare
• sift
• reduce
• discard
• jettison
• filter
• reject
• refuse
• slash
• shorten
• condense
• throw away
• prune
• spurn
• crop
• truncate
• curtail
• shrink
• 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)
• dent
• ease
• clip
• abate
• clear
• constrict
• nick
• lower
• knock down
• modulate
• modify
• downscale
• moderate
• qualify
• distill
• drop
• 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

Launched in the spring, a panel of 10 judges winnowed the contest to six finalists in June, putting the proposals on display at the Chicago Cultural Center. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Eiren’s pick now advances to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which will winnow submissions from countries around the world down to a shortlist of 15 films before narrowing to five nominees. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Tech stocks’ forward P/E has quickly winnowed to near pre-COVID levels and isn’t much more expensive than the broader market. — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Republicans hold a narrow 53-47 majority in the Senate, which has been winnowed to 52 during McConnell’s extended absence — meaning Blanche can only afford two Republican defections to be confirmed. — Kevin Breuninger,garrett Downs, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

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