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
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
-
Sticking with the manufacturer’s pre-selected stain and paint options is a great way to cut back on unnecessary costs.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The selected artist will be notified by early October.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Here are their answers, including one so evocative it was picked twice.—
Time,
Time,
6 May 2026
-
That’s right, Rob Shuter is saying that Lively has already picked her dress for Taylor Swift’s wedding.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Players choose five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 24, or let the lottery randomly select numbers with Quick Pick/Easy Pick.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
-
Instead, the value of select savings accounts may instead be worth exploring.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
New episodes of Funny AF were released over the course of three weeks, culminating with the semi-final and finale airing live, during which viewers around the world were able to vote in real time for their favorite comic.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
-
Some of your favorite musical artists are sitting this tour cycle out.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Over the dissent of the court's three liberal justices, the court lifted a ruling that had blocked state Republicans' preferred map as racially discriminatory and for illegally diluting the voting power of Black Alabamians.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
West did not name a preferred replacement.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handpicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handpicked. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
