narrows down
- focusesConcentrates attention on
- pinpointsLocates with exactness
- hones inFocuses with precision
- eliminatesRemoves from consideration
- filtersSelective passage barriers
sifts · winnows · refines · distills · culls · trims · shortlist · funnel · target · isolates · specifies · concludes · detective · search · options · candidates · suspects · process of elimination
scope reduction vs expansion
narrows downexpands
Increases in volume
broadens · widens · opens up · multiplies · enlarges
specificity vs generality
narrows downgeneralizes
Forms broad principles
abstracts · blurs · muddles · loosens · universalizes