sift

[sift]

verb (used with object)

1. to separate and retain the coarse parts of (flour, ashes, etc.) with a sieve.

2. to scatter or sprinkle through or by means of a sieve.

   to sift sugar onto cake.

3. to separate by or as if by a sieve.

4. to examine closely.

   The detectives are still sifting the evidence.

   Synonyms: probe, search, inspect, scrutinize, sort

5. to question closely.

verb (used without object)

1. to sift something.

2. to pass or fall through or as if through a sieve.

sift

/ sɪft /

verb

1. (tr) to sieve (sand, flour, etc) in order to remove the coarser particles

2. to scatter (something) over a surface through a sieve

3. (tr) to separate with or as if with a sieve; distinguish between

4. (tr) to examine minutely

   to sift evidence

5. (intr) to move as if through a sieve

Other Word Forms

• sifter noun
• outsift verb (used with object)
• presift verb (used with object)
• resift verb (used with object)
• unsifted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sift¹

before 900; Middle English siften, Old English siftan; cognate with Dutch, Middle Low German siften; akin to sieve

Word History and Origins

Origin of sift¹

Old English siftan; related to Middle Low German siften to sift, Dutch ziften; see _sieve

Example Sentences

It’s not hard math, but it takes some diligence to map out the numbers and sift through more than one projection until you get to the right answer for your own situation.

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Willow, pregnant and officially on maternity leave, hastens to assist him in sifting through suspects.

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Banks are sifting through their exposure to the bankrupt auto-parts supplier and its chain of customers and suppliers.

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They want their companies to succeed but don’t have time to sift through hundreds of ballot items.

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Now, banks are sifting through their exposure to the company and its chain of customers and suppliers.

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Related Words

• analyze 
• comb 
• delve into www.thesaurus.com
• drain 
• evaluate 
• examine 
• explore 
• filter 
• go through 
• investigate 
• pore over www.thesaurus.com
• scrutinize 
• winnow