WordWeb Online

1. Arrange or order by classes or categories
   "How would you sort out these pottery shards--are they prehistoric?";
   - classify, class, sort, assort, separate
    
2. Make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear
   - clear, clear up, shed light on, crystallize, crystallise [Brit], crystalize, crystalise [Brit], straighten out, enlighten, illuminate, elucidate
    
3. Punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience
   "The teacher sorted out the pupils rather frequently";
   - discipline, correct

Derived forms: sorted out, sorting out, sorts out

Type of: categorise [Brit], categorize, clarify, clear up, elucidate, penalise [Brit], penalize, punish, sanction