Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Police have used genetic sequences retrieved from cigarette butts and coffee cups to identify suspects; archaeologists have sifted DNA from cave dirt to identify ancient humans.

From Science Magazine • May 15, 2023

Over the years, investigators have sifted through thousands of tips and interviewed possible suspects in the deaths of Liberty German, 14, and her friend Abigail Williams, 13, who disappeared Feb. 13, 2017.

From New York Times • Oct. 31, 2022

To find new particles, physicists have sifted for needles in haystacks of data produced by slamming known types of particles together at higher and higher energies.

From Scientific American • Sep. 8, 2022

For days, Cuban rescue workers have sifted through massive piles of debris at the base of the hotel's neo-classical style building, which is more than a century old.

From Reuters • May 13, 2022

In our time we have sifted the sands of Mars, we have established a presence there, we have fulfilled a century of dreams!

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan