picked 1 of 2

picked

2 of 2

verb

past tense of pick
1
2
3
4
as in nibbled
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

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 picked
Verb
First-timers Zhang Hongzhang, 39, and Wu Fei, 32 - China’s youngest astronaut to be sent to space - were picked to participate in the program in 2020. Reuters, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2025 Parris picked Miami over the likes of Auburn, Oregon and Oklahoma. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025 But more than just being a popular song, Barbara and Andy Muschietti picked it for its ominous themes. Alexis Mikulski Ruiz, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025 Wanting to give her a break from the stressful shelter environment, Kirk picked her up for a doggy date. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025 Carys Zeta Douglas picked a pink satin slip dress with lace details and floral embroidery last worn by her mom Catherine Zeta-Jones at the 1999 MTV Movie Awards for her milestone celebration. Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025 The Wildcats were picked to finish 11th out of 15 teams in the Atlantic 10 in the media poll. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025 The International Olympic Committee picked Atlanta, in something of a stunner, over Athens, Greece. John Archibald, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025 These bakeries were picked by the editors of Southern Living who report, research, and visit restaurants across the South. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picked
Adjective
  • The selected resident will receive a year-long immersive experience, both living and working at Trilith while developing their original project with the guidance of industry professionals.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025
  • According to the report, more than two-thirds of the stakeholders GAO interviewed reported challenges with warehouses, truck areas and roadways at selected airports, which can be a major supply chain detriment since air cargo spends 80 to 90 percent of its time on the ground.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Cold-hardy leafy vegetables tolerate frost but should not be harvested in a frozen state.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The eastern Shasta County forest where this year’s tree was harvested Tuesday is one of 15 state forests operated by Cal Fire.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • By that time the show had provoked a wave of excited condemnation from commentators online who seemed most consistently offended by the bodysuit printed with the (hairy) image of a (totally) naked male body worn by a female model.
    Luke Leitch, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The move has provoked fierce criticism in France, a country that prides itself on craftsmanship, sustainability and haute couture.
    NPR, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With the Miami waterfront as its backdrop, music filled the venue as industry leaders networked, nibbled on appetizers, and posed for photos in front of a flower wall provided by Johnnie Walker.
    James Dinh, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Guests enjoyed caviar with flutes of Champagne, and nibbled on french fries and burgers.
    Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Like the other eight couples who were killed, they were found shot and stabbed in their cars.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • As president of the United States, he was stabbed in the heart with a letter opener by a septuagenarian cuckold.
    Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In a filing on Friday, the nearly-defunct federal body sought summary judgment in NPR’s lawsuit against the organization over its decision to appropriate funding for satellite distribution to a select group of NPR member stations before the CPB ceases operations.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Users in select states (MI, NJ, PA and WV) will be eligible to claim the $150 bonus offer.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Other big stories ➤ More than 350 residents from Marana and surrounding southern Arizona communities gathered to criticize Management and Training Corporation's refusal to communicate on whether a shuttered state prison will return as an ICE detention center.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 26 Oct. 2025
  • In response to the deployment, several hundred protesters gathered outside the base.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And last week the Supreme Court took the rare step of asking for additional briefing in that high-profile case.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Other papers in the journal took more specific aim at the theory.
    David Merritt Johns, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Picked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picked. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on picked

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!