weed out

verb

weeded out; weeding out; weeds out
Synonyms of weed outnext
: to remove (people or things that are not wanted) from a group
They will review the applications to weed out the less qualified candidates.

Examples of weed out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The practical impact is not immediately clear since many who have engaged in prostitution may still be either immediately disqualified or weeded out upon further scrutiny from FBI polygraphers and security officials. — Eric Tucker, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Wilson went through the inventory and weeded out 12 that were originally from Avon schoolhouses in various sizes from a kindergarten age up until eighth-grade range. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026 Such an opportunity will weed out who loves—and doesn’t, for that matter—love football. — Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 In his short time in the big time, Hill’s been able to weed out the grifters and users, spotting the BS a mile away. — Katherine Turman, SPIN, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weed out

Rhymes for weed out

See All Rhymes for weed out

Browse Nearby Words

weedless
weed out
weed species
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Weed out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weed%20out. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All