as in selecting
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities
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Recent Examples of culling
Some companies have already leaned into culling headcount to grow profits, including enterprise-software firm IgniteTech.
—
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
Florida’s way of culling the program reduces the income eligibility.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Veterinary experts recommend culling infected animals or isolating them.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
But even bad songs are tough to whittle into a list and culling some of the worst offenders is highly subjective.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Most human cases have occurred after coming into contact with infected cattle, infected poultry farms or other culling operations.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2025
In most economies, the market would sort out this mess by culling the weakest players.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2025
But the troops won’t be culling the bears – they’re not allowed to under Japanese law.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Now, a controversial management strategy would involve culling more than 15,000 annually.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 3 Nov. 2025
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
Florida’s way of culling the program reduces the income eligibility.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Veterinary experts recommend culling infected animals or isolating them.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
But even bad songs are tough to whittle into a list and culling some of the worst offenders is highly subjective.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Most human cases have occurred after coming into contact with infected cattle, infected poultry farms or other culling operations.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2025
In most economies, the market would sort out this mess by culling the weakest players.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2025
But the troops won’t be culling the bears – they’re not allowed to under Japanese law.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Now, a controversial management strategy would involve culling more than 15,000 annually.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culling
Verb
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The process for selecting Powell’s replacement began in September with an 11-candidate field that included past and current Fed officials, economists, and Wall Street investment professionals.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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Belichick was a part of a five-person pool separate from the 15-man modern-era ballot, in which each voter is tasked with selecting just three members to enter the Hall.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Now, the question of whether the US could again use force – or tactics like tariffs or sanctions – to strong-arm countries into choosing Washington’s interests over ties with China is a viable risk being evaluated in the region’s capitals.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
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The dramatic cover continues to guide the drama of the party, from Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) choosing Benedict as her bachelor of the season to Eloise (Claudia Jessie) discovering her sister Hyacinth (Florence Hunt) had snuck in to the ball.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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From the costume-picking process to the crazy disguises stars must wear off camera, keep scrolling for the wildest rules contestants on The Masked Singer must follow.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Other photos show them on the sand with their arms around each other and sharing a kiss, with Tatum picking her up and holding her over his head at one point.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Culling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culling. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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