WINNOWED Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

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.

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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 winnowed Launched in the spring, a panel of 10 judges winnowed the contest to six finalists in June, putting the proposals on display at the Chicago Cultural Center. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026 Tech stocks’ forward P/E has quickly winnowed to near pre-COVID levels and isn’t much more expensive than the broader market. — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for winnowed

Verb

The picture painted from the interview subjects, who occasionally draw sketches of weapons-screen interfaces on notepads, is of a computerized tracking-and-killing apparatus, culled from the surveillance Israel keeps of nearly every phone in Gaza.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
That list was culled to 1,015 firms, and finalists completed surveys to confirm key details.

— Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of culled

Verb

When Cleveland trimmed the lead to 3-1 in the sixth inning, Tampa answered with a two-run homer by Junior Caminero in the seventh.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026
Brunet trimmed the Ducks’ lead with his first goal early in the second, connecting on a power play in the 23-year-old defenseman’s sixth NHL game.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of trimmed

Verb

Sullivan denied that the law would cut Medicaid for Alaskans, saying the Affordable Care Act had a greater impact and raised insurance premiums in the state drastically.

— Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
The new version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been cut from a five-hour show performed across two parts to a single three-hour performance as it is performed on Broadway.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of cut

Verb

The stock pared its losses after the bank hiked its net interest income guidance for 2026.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Elsewhere, typically experimental designer Duran Lantink pared back his characteristically whackadoodle approach to design for a smarter compromise this season.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of pared

Verb

Taps won't go dry, experts say, in part because Arizona has already reduced its water use over the years.

— Hannah Knowles The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
But for Deakins, the work is too dependent on the circumstances of a story, and the people telling it, to be reduced to any one method.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduced

Verb

Pastries containing squash for which there is a poster indicating a shelf life of two days under refrigeration, were for sale and at room temperature without time-mark indicators to be discarded.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
As for privacy, Mayer said users can grant Dazzle full, partial, or no access to their photos and images that are sensitive are immediately discarded.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of discarded

Browse Nearby Words

winnow

winnowed

winnowed (out)

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Style

“Winnowed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winnowed. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of winnowed

verb

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