WINNOW Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

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.

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of winnow Iowa’s legislative funnel deadline has done its job again, winnowing the list of bills that still could become laws this year. —

Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 20 Mar. 2026 The goal was to winnow 40 players down to 22, but also to build a cohesive unit capable of competing. —

Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026 In a virtual news conference Tuesday, party Chair Rusty Hicks connected the surveys, which will be released from March 24 through early May, to his push to winnow the field of eight candidates to a smaller field. —

Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026 The club is winnowing down its pitching options. —

Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for winnow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for winnow

Verb

Sacramento County prosecutors brought McGovern back to the stand for more hours of video culled in the hours before the deadliest mass shooting in Sacramento history.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
In addition to the music films – with many stars, such as Madonna, Barellies, Frampton and Katy Perry sticking around for post-screening chats – Tribeca has also culled a music video lineup showcasing work from Linda Perry, Jack White, Benson Boone and 5 Seconds of Summer.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 June 2026