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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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
In some cases, the candidate field is winnowed to two choices in our spring primary, where turnout is usually 40% lower than November, with even greater drops among voters of color and young people.
—
Steve Chessin, The Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2024
The field of candidates would be winnowed down by a committee before being added to ballots.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2024
Staff at the Elections & Registration Office plastered the entries all over their office walls and winnowed them down to 20 semi-finalists.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 Oct. 2024
This competition neared a climax in 2014 as NASA prepared to winnow the field to one company, or at most two, to move from the design phase into actual development.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for winnow 
Steve Chessin, The Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2024
The field of candidates would be winnowed down by a committee before being added to ballots.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2024
Staff at the Elections & Registration Office plastered the entries all over their office walls and winnowed them down to 20 semi-finalists.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 Oct. 2024
This competition neared a climax in 2014 as NASA prepared to winnow the field to one company, or at most two, to move from the design phase into actual development.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for winnow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winnow
Verb
-
In other findings culled from The Harris Poll, shoppers were asked to rank their top holiday faux pas.Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 4 Dec. 2024
-
Eight tracks culled from extensive jamming have been whittled down into hearty exercises in patient instrumental interplay.Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Opt for a small kitchen island with clean lines that’s pared down.Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 17 Dec. 2024
-
Investors pared back BoE rate cut bets to fully price in just two quarter-point cuts in borrowing costs between now and the end of 2025.Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
What's next: The incoming Trump administration is likely to push the country's federal workforce back into the office — largely as a way to trim headcount.Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024
-
Malcolm Washington and co-screenwriter Virgil Williams found a way to trim the play while keeping its spirit intact.Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The Fed ultimately voted to begin cutting rates in September and again opted to lower rates at its November meeting, just days after the election.Julia Shapero, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Macy’s — Shares shed less than 1% after the department store chain cut its fiscal-year forecast .Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Surgery can benefit from real-time AI explanations and XR visualizations to reduce patient anxiety, while oncology can simplify complex treatment plans for better decision making.Alon Zuckerman, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
-
Westmore Beauty’s 60-Second Eye Effects Gel Duo promises to instantly reduce the appearance of signs of aging around your eyes.Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The Canadian retailer is notorious for hosting epic sales, but also for the sheer number of picks shoppers have to sift through in SSENSE's vast catalogue of clothes and decor.Leah Muncy, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024
-
Add dry ingredients to finish cookie dough: In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near winnow
Cite this Entry
“Winnow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winnow. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share