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 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 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 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
  • This year’s feature lineup was culled from nearly 2,000 entries, winnowed over seven months to just a few dozen features, shorts, and other programming.
    — David Bloom, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The agency has dealt with homeowners illegally culling trees to improve their views in the past, but those are dwarfed by the scale of these poisonings, Cowen said.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of cull
Verb
  • Shares later pared some of the gains to trade at 883 yuan ($131) apiece at the morning close.
    — Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Shares had jumped nearly 630% before paring gains to close at 845 yuan.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of pare
Verb
  • Remove dense fuels, trim overhanging branches, and carefully plan your landscaping within 30 feet of homes.
    — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • This relaxed-but-polished organic cotton sweater has a classic crew neckline and ribbed trimming to elevate the look.
    — Kaitlin Marks, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of trim
Verb
  • Since it was designated the first national recreation area in 1964, hordes of visitors have cut Lake Mead’s glassy surface with jet skis and boats, carelessly dropping belongings that may now wash up on shore.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • First, prep your sandwich with any fillings, then place it into the cutter to cut and seal in one step.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • The South in particular faces higher rates of obesity and other health challenges that have further reduced the pool of eligible recruits and contributed to higher injury rates during basic training, according to service data.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The historic supply shock has also been softened by other factors, including alternative export routes out of the Gulf, China reducing its oil imports, the United States increasing production and drawdowns from global oil stockpiles.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • No owner or Team President is going to pour/sift through every design detail.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Hundreds of homes have been destroyed, tens of thousands of people were forced to flee, and as the fires slow, entire communities will be left to sift through ash.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of sift

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winnow
winnowed
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Cite this Entry

“Winnow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winnow. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of winnow for Spanish Speakers

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