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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of handpicked
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2026
Warsh comes in as the handpicked nominee of a president who has been bullying the Fed for years for lower rates.
—
Steve Liesman,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
The strategy may bring poor short-term optics for Schumer and give Republicans and Democratic primary opponents something to attack his handpicked candidates on.
—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
Yet the handpicked chair of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has downplayed the importance of the vaccine for measles, as well as for polio and other highly contagious, deadly diseases.
—
Jerome Adams,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
Al Olszewski, a former state senator who is running for Zinke's seat, accused both Daines and Zinke of betraying the people of Montana and urged voters to reject their handpicked successors.
—
Matthew Brown The Associated Press,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
Nance proposed bringing the story of rampant fraud to a handpicked journalist, who would interview a suspect cooperating with police, a retailer and someone whose identity had been stolen for the scam.
—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Unlike Chapek, who alienated Disney’s creative divisions by having the media chiefs report to his handpicked ally, Kareem Daniel, there’s a sense that D’Amaro will approach the task with more delicacy, giving Walden a level of autonomy.
—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
This was followed by roughly fifteen minutes of panicked tinkering as his handpicked team of elite coders tried to get their product back online.
—
Sam Kriss,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The judge ruled that Kennedy’s handpicked advisors were appointed improperly.
—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2026
Warsh comes in as the handpicked nominee of a president who has been bullying the Fed for years for lower rates.
—
Steve Liesman,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
The strategy may bring poor short-term optics for Schumer and give Republicans and Democratic primary opponents something to attack his handpicked candidates on.
—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
Yet the handpicked chair of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has downplayed the importance of the vaccine for measles, as well as for polio and other highly contagious, deadly diseases.
—
Jerome Adams,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
Al Olszewski, a former state senator who is running for Zinke's seat, accused both Daines and Zinke of betraying the people of Montana and urged voters to reject their handpicked successors.
—
Matthew Brown The Associated Press,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
Nance proposed bringing the story of rampant fraud to a handpicked journalist, who would interview a suspect cooperating with police, a retailer and someone whose identity had been stolen for the scam.
—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Unlike Chapek, who alienated Disney’s creative divisions by having the media chiefs report to his handpicked ally, Kareem Daniel, there’s a sense that D’Amaro will approach the task with more delicacy, giving Walden a level of autonomy.
—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
This was followed by roughly fifteen minutes of panicked tinkering as his handpicked team of elite coders tried to get their product back online.
—
Sam Kriss,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handpicked
Adjective
-
Some cool features include a kill switch that automatically disconnects you from the internet if the VPN connection fails, as well as split tunneling that allows selected apps to use the VPN connection while others transmit data in clear text.
-
These pre-selected fighter pilots and their families moved into their apartments during the summer of 1960 after residing at the Frunze Central Airfield in Moscow.
Verb
-
The Seattle Mariners were one of the teams that most people picked to win the World Series, or at least make a deep run into the playoffs.
-
Mengel, who has directed such drama series as My Different Ways and Supplex, and his creative collaborators will bring The Guest to the Czech spa town as the first Danish film picked for Karlovy Vary’s Crystal Globe Competition since 2015.
Adjective
-
For a more exclusive access, sign up for the chef’s experience, which includes visits to the Sonoma Farmers Market, Vella Cheese Company, and The Farmer’s Patch to hand-select ingredients for your dinner.
-
But history happens to all of us, not just a select few.
Adjective
-
Right on time, a loyal customer walks in and heads straight to his favorite spot.
-
Check out more of my favorite beauty products from this year below.
Adjective
-
Success rarely arrives on our preferred timeline.
-
Later this week, the government releases its May personal consumption expenditures price index, the preferred inflation gauge of the Federal Reserve.
Cite this Entry
“Handpicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handpicked. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
