as in selected
singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking
the senator's handpicked campaign staff
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in picked
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities
handpicked what she considered to be the cutest kitten from the litter
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of handpicked
Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
In the meantime, Lynelle Maginley-Liddie, the handpicked commissioner of former Mayor Eric Adams, continues to lead the department.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
On Sunday, the dispute further intensified when Rowley and his handpicked successor, Stuart Young, condemned her remarks in separate statements.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
From a rustic centerpiece glowing with candlelight to faux wreath charger plates that instantly feel festive, these are my handpicked tabletop finds from Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Amazon, and more — all timeless, inviting, and starting at just $8.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025
In June Kennedy fired all 17 members of ACIP and, days later, appointed eight new, handpicked ones, some of whom have expressed antivaccination views.
—Jaimie Seaton, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2025
In June, Kennedy fired all 17 members of the panel and replaced them with seven new, handpicked members.
—Liz Szabo, NBC news, 15 Sep. 2025
Kennedy has replaced all of the members of the committee with handpicked people, some of whom have expressed criticism of vaccines.
—Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Trump has railed against the Fed and Powell for the past year, berating Powell, his handpicked Fed chair, for not cutting rates.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
In the meantime, Lynelle Maginley-Liddie, the handpicked commissioner of former Mayor Eric Adams, continues to lead the department.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
On Sunday, the dispute further intensified when Rowley and his handpicked successor, Stuart Young, condemned her remarks in separate statements.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
From a rustic centerpiece glowing with candlelight to faux wreath charger plates that instantly feel festive, these are my handpicked tabletop finds from Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Amazon, and more — all timeless, inviting, and starting at just $8.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025
In June Kennedy fired all 17 members of ACIP and, days later, appointed eight new, handpicked ones, some of whom have expressed antivaccination views.
—Jaimie Seaton, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2025
In June, Kennedy fired all 17 members of the panel and replaced them with seven new, handpicked members.
—Liz Szabo, NBC news, 15 Sep. 2025
Kennedy has replaced all of the members of the committee with handpicked people, some of whom have expressed criticism of vaccines.
—Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handpicked
Adjective
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The gist, however, seems to be that extra-terrestrials make contact with a selected few, before promising to go public to the entire world — good luck dealing with the ramifications of that one, human race!—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
31 Dec. 2025
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The selected cohort—Diamond Batiste, Ciara Boniface, Jeremy Hsing, Alejandra López and Brittany Alexia Young—were chosen from nearly 1,000 submissions, placing them at the forefront of a new chapter in cinematic storytelling.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Youngblood picked it up, put his hand on the cover, and whispered a prayer in Latin.—
Matthew Bremner,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
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The Owls, who will christen Mickey Dunn Stadium this weekend, were picked to finish third by Conference USA coaches.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Although the club has been operating at less than the full 3,800-4,000 daily capacity, there is anecdotal evidence from cruise passengers on Facebook and Cruise Critic that the club has been sold out on select sailings recently.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
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Its glow fell upon the select gathering, personally assembled by Soo Hoo — among them, founder of the Vivino wine app, Heini Zachariassen, certified Master of Wine and commentator Ned Goodwin and editor-in-chief of The Wine Advocate, William Kelley.—
Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Fan favorite and three-time World Series champion, Kiké Hernandez became a free agent after last season and has not signed a new contract.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Borrowing elements from Adidas’ fan-favorite Gazelle style, this version ups the comfort level with a layered gumsole for double the shock absorption.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Bhumjaithai is seen as the main defender and preferred choice of the royalist-military establishment.—
GRANT PECK,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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One option is rolling with a six-man rotation, which would keep Crawford or Sandoval in their preferred role while building in extra rest for the others.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handpicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handpicked. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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