Synonyms of winnowed

winnowed

verb

past tense of winnow

as in culled

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

• culled
• trimmed
• cut
• pared
• reduced
• sifted
• discarded
• filtered
• jettisoned
• slashed
• rejected
• shortened
• refused
• condensed
• spurned
• threw away
• pruned
• shrank
• declined
• turned down
• threw out
• truncated
• cropped
• repudiated
• dwindled
• decreased
• curtailed
• depleted
• clipped
• disapproved
• retrenched
• downsized
• cut down
• abbreviated
• lowered
• abridged
• compressed
• cleared
• cut back
• eased
• dented
• nicked
• contracted
• docked
• abated
• lessened
• dropped
• whittled (down)
• negatived
• knocked down
• minimized
• downscaled
• modulated
• modified
• constricted
• deflated
• sieved
• qualified
• moderated
• screened
• distilled
• refined
• purified
• processed
• de-escalated
• fined
• bolted
• clarified
• rectified
• garbled

Dissimilar Words

• selected
• picked
• culled
• elected
• named
• took
• preferred
• chose
• set
• adopted
• appointed
• accepted
• designated
• nominated
• tapped
• marked
• preselected
• tagged
• fixed
• singled (out)
• embraced
• handpicked
• opted (for)
• espoused
• settled (on or upon)
• swelled
• cherry-picked
• extended
• inflated
• added (to)
• supplemented
• prolonged
• dilated
• lengthened
• distended
• tabbed
• elongated
• blew up
• complemented
• increased
• protracted
• intensified
• expanded
• enhanced
• heightened
• raised
• augmented
• enlarged
• amplified
• redoubled
• boosted
• escalated
• aggrandized

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of winnowed

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

The number of options could initially stretch into the billions as the league winnowed down the choices. — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 28 July 2026

The board winnowed down its list from six semifinalists to two in a vote at a special meeting held Tuesday. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 21 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

The first knockout round continues through Friday night, when the field will be winnowed to 16 teams. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 June 2026

The council winnowed that list down to five finalists who interviewed for the post last week ahead of Monday’s vote. — Mary Ramsey updated June 22, Charlotte Observer, 23 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

Steyer won the backing of the powerful California Teachers Association, which previously endorsed Swalwell, and the support of Betty Yee, who suspended her bid last week and further winnowed the race. — Julia Mueller, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2026