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
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
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
Adjective
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handpicked
Adjective
-
The selected artist will be notified by early October.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
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Newly opened Fowlescombe Farm, a 450-acre estate in south Devon, England, where Tamworth piglets and Manx Loaghtan sheep roam free and wildflowers are encouraged to be picked, lures guests with the promise of slow living.—
Jen Murphy,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
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If the stem is still attached or the scar looks jagged and raised, the fruit was likely picked too early and may not be as sweet.—
Sheela Prakash,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the event of flood threats, cities in South Florida may allow residents to park for free in select public garages, although proof of residency is frequently required.—
Jennifer Sangalang,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Anthropic is also testing its latest Mythos model with a select group of companies; the Claude developer claims these restrictions are necessary to ensure the model can’t be misused upon a more public release.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Chinese Communist Party is resurrecting one of its favorite complaints against the Japanese government, decrying officials’ routine visit to a shrine honoring dead soldiers of World War II.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Apr. 2026
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The Glow by Daye Satin Bonnets is an Allure-editor favorite and comes in a number of cute colors and patterns.—
Danielle James,
Allure,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Flats used to be the preferred method, but Faust doesn’t think that’s in the berry’s best interest.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2026
-
OpenAI memo criticizes Anthropic watch now Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handpicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handpicked. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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