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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Recent Examples of winnow
Finally, some analysts said the company must consider winnowing down redundant vehicles and brands to streamline operations.
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Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 2 Dec. 2024
Cleaning out our freezer inspired me to weed our living room bookcase and winnow my closet.
—Danny Heitman, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Nov. 2024
The three House seats Trump vacated with his Cabinet choices could take months to fill, winnowing an excruciatingly small GOP majority for much of the first 100 days.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024
Many of them are carrying especially lucrative cash-back and zero-percent financing incentives from the manufacturers to help dealers winnow down their existing stock.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for winnow 
Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 2 Dec. 2024
Cleaning out our freezer inspired me to weed our living room bookcase and winnow my closet.
—Danny Heitman, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Nov. 2024
The three House seats Trump vacated with his Cabinet choices could take months to fill, winnowing an excruciatingly small GOP majority for much of the first 100 days.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024
Many of them are carrying especially lucrative cash-back and zero-percent financing incentives from the manufacturers to help dealers winnow down their existing stock.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for winnow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winnow
Verb
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The website Sonic Editions has thousands of licensed prints and photographs available for sale, with many of the images culled from decades of Hollywood films, personal collections and behind-the-scenes shoots.Tim Chan, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024
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Once again, Mangold did not want a straight rehash of material culled from books and other movies.Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Last year, the choices were pared down to five options.Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
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Their looks are perfect examples of ways to let a zebra print piece shine while keeping the rest of the outfit pared back.Rosana Lai, Glamour, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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To keep your Frenchie's feet healthy and comfortable, it is recommended to trim their nails every 3 to 4 weeks.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
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Leaders are beginning to question the ROI of their software investments (all 300-plus of them), and this scrutiny will intensify as businesses look to trim expenses.Michael Zuercher, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Nordstrom announced plans last year to shutter its Canadian operations, closing all stores in the country and cutting 2,500 jobs.Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
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The idea that the Browns will bench him but not cut him in 2025 seems like a distinction without a difference.Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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These tools allow professionals to focus on strategic decision-making, reducing time spent on repetitive tasks.Carlos Netto, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
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Addiction Early studies suggest GLP-1 drugs may reduce cravings for alcohol, nicotine and opioids by modulating the brain’s reward pathways.Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. 2.Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 18 Dec. 2024
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Trump officials could have sifted through the comments, rewritten the rule and published it as a final rule.Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near winnow
Cite this Entry
“Winnow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winnow. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
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