as in intercepting
to stop, seize, or interrupt while in progress or on course
picked off more passes than any other player in the division
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Recent Examples of picking off
Charlisse-Leger Walker followed her lead, picking off a pass and kicking it ahead to Jaquez, who drew a trip to the line.
—
Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Bonner, who was re-signed by the new regime, logged 90 defensive snaps last season, permitting a TD reception but also picking off a pass.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
In the 2025 regular season with the Rams, Durant hauled in three interceptions before picking off three more in the playoffs, including two in the NFC Divisional Round overtime win against the Chicago Bears.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
Fitzpatrick spent most of six seasons with the Steelers, making the All-Pro team three times while picking off 18 passes during that time.
—Dennis Waszak, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
Unsurprisingly, a new Ghostface shows up on set and begins picking off both the cast and their real-life counterparts.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
Among those career interceptions were the game-sealing one against the Minnesota Vikings, picking off the great Fran Tarkenton to give the Steelers the Super Bowl IX victory — the franchise’s first.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
The lasting memory of his seven-year NFL tenure will be the astute recognition of a Seahawks goal-line concept, blowing up receiver Ricardo Lockette and picking off quarterback Russell Wilson to let New England prevail.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
Quadruple Loop This jump is more difficult because Malinin takes off and lands on the same leg, without the assistance of picking off the ice.
—Alice Park, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Bonner, who was re-signed by the new regime, logged 90 defensive snaps last season, permitting a TD reception but also picking off a pass.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
In the 2025 regular season with the Rams, Durant hauled in three interceptions before picking off three more in the playoffs, including two in the NFC Divisional Round overtime win against the Chicago Bears.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
Fitzpatrick spent most of six seasons with the Steelers, making the All-Pro team three times while picking off 18 passes during that time.
—Dennis Waszak, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
Unsurprisingly, a new Ghostface shows up on set and begins picking off both the cast and their real-life counterparts.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
Among those career interceptions were the game-sealing one against the Minnesota Vikings, picking off the great Fran Tarkenton to give the Steelers the Super Bowl IX victory — the franchise’s first.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
The lasting memory of his seven-year NFL tenure will be the astute recognition of a Seahawks goal-line concept, blowing up receiver Ricardo Lockette and picking off quarterback Russell Wilson to let New England prevail.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
Quadruple Loop This jump is more difficult because Malinin takes off and lands on the same leg, without the assistance of picking off the ice.
—Alice Park, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking off
Verb
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Safety Jessiah McGrew, a Freshman All-American last year after intercepting four passes, transferred to Arizona State.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
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Middle Eastern countries reported intercepting drones and missiles as dawn broke Friday.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kyla Oldacre led Texas with 11 points off the bench while grabbing seven rebounds.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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The victim listed in the police records later told police about two incidents of physical assault, including grabbing, scratching, shoving and striking, according to the documents.—
Meriam Bouarrouj,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Residents can protect against the disease by using flea-control treatments on pets year-round, avoiding handling or feeding stray animals, and keeping wildlife away with security trash cans and blocking entry points and hiding places on residential properties.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
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While there wasn’t a 7-foot-4 obstacle blocking the lane, the Clippers still couldn’t get out of their own way and lost to the Spurs for the third time in less than a month, 118-99, at the Intuit Dome.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Picking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking%20off. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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