as in choice
the act or process of selecting
the picking of new recruits went on for three days
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in harvesting
to catch or collect (a crop or natural resource) for human use
pick peas and beans from the garden for dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in selecting
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities
I pick you as my partner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provoking
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
he seems to be trying to pick a fight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in nibbling
to eat reluctantly and in small bites
still suffering from the shock of his wife's death, he could do no more than pick halfheartedly at his food
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in stabbing
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
continued to pick the block of ice until she was able to extract the shrimp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of picking
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
While picking his brain about the former series, Entertainment Weekly got the creator of both shows — Bruce Miller — to provide an update on the new one.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The lottery determines the order of the top four picks, with teams then picking in inverse order of record.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
Lane’s snap count decreased quite a bit during a stretch in the second half of the season before picking back up again.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Interacting with a door opens up a blueprint menu to draft a room, picking from a handful of randomized options.
—Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
Cooler conditions have delayed picking by 10 to 14 days, encouraging slower ripening and improved balance.
—Rachel King, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
The post comes a month after Spears shared a sweet family dress-up clip on Instagram showing the teen picking her dress for junior prom.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The county already owned land about 14 miles north, near Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee, which Maurice said made picking a new site easy.
—Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
This takes the guesswork out of picking a winner.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
While picking his brain about the former series, Entertainment Weekly got the creator of both shows — Bruce Miller — to provide an update on the new one.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The lottery determines the order of the top four picks, with teams then picking in inverse order of record.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
Lane’s snap count decreased quite a bit during a stretch in the second half of the season before picking back up again.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Interacting with a door opens up a blueprint menu to draft a room, picking from a handful of randomized options.
—Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
Cooler conditions have delayed picking by 10 to 14 days, encouraging slower ripening and improved balance.
—Rachel King, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
The post comes a month after Spears shared a sweet family dress-up clip on Instagram showing the teen picking her dress for junior prom.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The county already owned land about 14 miles north, near Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee, which Maurice said made picking a new site easy.
—Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking
Noun
-
For those not skilled in cooking, baking, or crafting, a bottle of wine may seem like an obvious choice for a host gift.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2025
-
There were some bad choices and some unfortunate deaths.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This will deepen the divide between the global North and South on issues of race and cultural difference, straining the West’s diplomatic relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America while provoking broader resentment toward Western countries seen as perpetuating racial hierarchies.—
Matias Spektor,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
-
Yet when North Korea invaded South Korea, the United States intervened forcefully, pushing up to the Chinese border and provoking a ferocious Chinese counterattack.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Brooks was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2017 for stabbing his girlfriend in Monroe County.—
Kate Holland,
ABC News,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Smith was convicted of fatally stabbing his estranged wife and her sons decades ago.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Durbin's retirement leaves an opening in Senate Democratic leadership at a time when the party is searching for new leaders to chart its direction in the wake of the 2024 presidential election, when Republicans kept control of the House and flipped the Senate and White House.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Both Imhoff and Robert will have to defend their seats in the 2026 council elections.—
Matt Hubbard,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After leafing through the hefty menu I am beset by option paralysis, eventually ignoring drinks called ‘Corpse Reviver’ and ‘Balls’, instead choosing ‘Leave For Milan’, which includes gin, vermouth and some sort of rhubarb foam.—
Nick Miller,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
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These improvements came from choosing the right ERP, working with experienced implementers and using an agile approach during implementation.—
Dmitriy Stepanov,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The biggest hurdle is raising the $160,000 needed to send 21 students and four chaperones across the Atlantic.—
La Risa R. Lynch,
Journal Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Neurological conditions like neuropathy, which can change the sensation in the toes or feet, can also impact balance and mobility, raising the risk of falls, Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist who treats older adults at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, told Health.—
Korin Miller,
Health,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Others recalled him having stand-up rows, shouting, swearing, and jabbing his finger in the direction of co-workers.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
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O'Brien kept the jokes flowing during his opening monologue, lightly jabbing at A-list celebrities and their films while also reminding audiences what the Oscars are really about.—
Edward Segarra,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile Russia is promoting drone awareness in children in other ways, down to children’s cartoons in which characters use their videogame skills to pilot drones delivering toys.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
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The simple and accessible name is helping the brand and its followers create a one-of-a-kind community on all social media platforms, empowering innovative voices to join together in promoting hair health online.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Picking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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