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
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Recent Examples of picking
Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
These include coil sorting, parcel picking, cooking, and even bedroom organization.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
During apple picking season, my go-to combo included the skirt, Quince’s Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Crewneck Sweater, and loafers.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
Another client, Randa Apparel & Accessories, has used a picking robot since October 2024 at its Fort Worth fulfillment center.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
Back at the hideout, players even have a friendly rooster, and fruit-picking topside is a common activity.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 10 Dec. 2025
The Forest Lake Area School Board met for nearly eight hours Thursday night and Friday morning, but remains deadlocked 3-3 in the picking of a new school board member.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 5 Dec. 2025
A couple thousand, the privileged ones, will file into the Concert Hall for pomp, politics, performances and then, finally, the picking of World Cup groups.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
These 60 percent off Sorel Caribou chelsea boots are prime for the picking.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 22 Nov. 2025
Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Other photos show them on the sand with their arms around each other and sharing a kiss, with Tatum picking her up and holding her over his head at one point.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
When your parents asked you to clean your room as a kid, that probably meant picking clothes up off the floor and putting toys away.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
In fact, according to a new profile of Kate for The Times ahead of her 44th birthday on January 9, it was revealed that the Princess of Wales insists on doing the school run, dropping her kids off at Lambrook and picking them up, as well.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
Use clean pruners to cut lemons carefully, since picking too early or too late hurts flavor and future blooms.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026
That’s not on who’s picking the team; that’s on the players.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Trump did get the jitters, but responded, as The Atlantic’s Jonathan Chait noted, not by caving on health care but by ranting about the filibuster, ultimately picking a different way of doubling down.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
Kellenberger pivoted, hiking north until the winter weather hit, and picking back up in March 2025.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
For everyday investors, low-cost index funds offer a smart and accessible way to grow wealth steadily without needing deep expertise in stock-picking.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
These include coil sorting, parcel picking, cooking, and even bedroom organization.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
During apple picking season, my go-to combo included the skirt, Quince’s Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Crewneck Sweater, and loafers.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
Another client, Randa Apparel & Accessories, has used a picking robot since October 2024 at its Fort Worth fulfillment center.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
Back at the hideout, players even have a friendly rooster, and fruit-picking topside is a common activity.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 10 Dec. 2025
The Forest Lake Area School Board met for nearly eight hours Thursday night and Friday morning, but remains deadlocked 3-3 in the picking of a new school board member.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 5 Dec. 2025
A couple thousand, the privileged ones, will file into the Concert Hall for pomp, politics, performances and then, finally, the picking of World Cup groups.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
These 60 percent off Sorel Caribou chelsea boots are prime for the picking.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 22 Nov. 2025
Verb
From the costume-picking process to the crazy disguises stars must wear off camera, keep scrolling for the wildest rules contestants on The Masked Singer must follow.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Other photos show them on the sand with their arms around each other and sharing a kiss, with Tatum picking her up and holding her over his head at one point.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
When your parents asked you to clean your room as a kid, that probably meant picking clothes up off the floor and putting toys away.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
In fact, according to a new profile of Kate for The Times ahead of her 44th birthday on January 9, it was revealed that the Princess of Wales insists on doing the school run, dropping her kids off at Lambrook and picking them up, as well.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
Use clean pruners to cut lemons carefully, since picking too early or too late hurts flavor and future blooms.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026
That’s not on who’s picking the team; that’s on the players.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Trump did get the jitters, but responded, as The Atlantic’s Jonathan Chait noted, not by caving on health care but by ranting about the filibuster, ultimately picking a different way of doubling down.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
Kellenberger pivoted, hiking north until the winter weather hit, and picking back up in March 2025.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking
Noun
-
For a more specialized fit, the Petite Wide-leg Pants are an excellent choice for shorter shoppers, while the Curvy Wide-leg Pants are just as comfortable and flattering (and on sale for almost $40 off).—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
-
This is evidence that color drenching is a more recent design choice and might not be timeless.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Each affords particular outlets for decompressing and harvesting the stressors of high-capacity jobs.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Soybean farmers in states like Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Indiana have been harvesting this fall without purchase orders from China, once the largest buyer of American soybeans.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to researchers at Penn State’s Materials Research Institute, the characteristics of nanotubes can be precisely tuned by selecting specific atomic compositions.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Get the most from your investment by selecting trees that provide year-round beauty.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
When Russia, another strategic partner, invaded Ukraine in 2022, China stopped short of condemning Moscow or opposing the war, instead parroting Russian narrative of blaming on the United States and its NATO allies for provoking the conflict.—
Steven Jiang,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Rather, many Iranians instead blamed the leadership for either provoking the conflict or failing to meaningfully defend the country from Israeli – or American – bombs.—
Kamran Talattof,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Most of them spend a decent chunk of time nibbling on beetles, moths, mosquitoes, and the like.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
3 Dec. 2025
-
Fabulous house, wonderful food, 30 companies trolling for dough, a raft of others nibbling and drinking.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Later that month, another jury said Rafael Andres should be sent back to Florida’s Death Row for beating, stabbing and strangling a La Carreta waitress with a rice cooker cord in 2005.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Cincinnati crime fell under the microscope after the viral brawl in July and the stabbing death of an Over-the-Rhine resident and business owner in his own home.—
Scott Wartman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
What about the group winning a democratic election in 2006?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
There have been a few instances since the election, Geller says, where clients have wondered ahead of a trip how they’ll be received abroad.—
Terry Ward,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2026 Kitchen Trends Report, homeowners are increasingly choosing appliances that create a better environment for cooking and gathering.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
This path begins with choosing leaders who will put principle over politics and ideology, with a promise to focus on the middle class as the center of every policy.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Picking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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