sift

verb

Definition of siftnext
1
as in to filter

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in to inspect

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Example 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 sift Because no human can sift through thousands of XRD patterns a day, the company is developing machine learning algorithms to use XRD and measure the magnetic properties of materials to speed detection of new superconductors. — Alan Patterson, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Sep. 2026 Four months later, he was seen last weekend walking dogs, taking walks, enjoying a cup of coffee in a garage, and even stopping to sift through neighborhood trash items on the side of the street. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026 With too few people and too little time to sift through it all, METR used AI itself to analyze its findings, burning the equivalent of $400,000 in API credits supplied by OpenAI during their six on-site days. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The Patriots should sift through the 1,000-plus players who hit the waiver wire on Sunday afternoon to see if any of them could provide better depth on the 53-man roster or practice squad. — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sift
  1. filter
  2. inspect
  3. sieve
  4. investigate
  5. lay
  6. examine
  7. screen
Verb
  • Pure Bass Sound while actively filtering out unwanted background distractions.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Advanced internal valves are specifically engineered to filter out high-frequency vibrations from coarse road surfaces.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of filter
Verb
  • California Highway Patrol was assessing the threat and inspecting the construction site.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Our school would be housed in the Mountain State Spotlight newsroom, which had not been inspected as a school site.
    — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of inspect
Verb
  • After sufficient brewing time, pour the tea into the pitcher through a fine mesh filter or sieve to remove the loose leaves or take out and throw out the whole tea bags.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
  • Creativity is not just some commodity, trapped in the imagination, that can be tapped and sieved by technology.
    — John Semley, Wired News, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of sieve
Verb
  • That allegation surfaced as police investigated the first case.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the UAE are investigating the hijacker to uncover the key questions surrounding the suspect’s identity, motive, and how a weapon entered the cockpit.
    — Christine Valora, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of investigate
Verb
  • Bel was finally laid to rest Saturday in this small southwestern Ohio city.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The researchers say their experiment lays an important foundation for using such fields to investigate molecular chirality.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of lay
Verb
  • In the fourth quarter, left tackle Rashawn Slater lay for several moments on the turf and was examined by medical staff before rising to his feet and walking gingerly to the sideline with an ankle injury.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • His father did not reply but squatted down to examine the man.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of examine
Verb
  • Wealth screening can help nonprofits identify people who may have the financial capacity to give, but capacity alone doesn’t show whether a prospect is likely to care about an organization’s mission or become an engaged donor.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Ticket holders refusing to be screened will be denied entry into the stadium, KU says.
    — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of screen

Browse Nearby Words

sieving
sift
sifted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sift. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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