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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of picking
Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Fall adventures like apple picking, shopping at the farmers market, or hiking colorful trails require the right footwear to keep your feet comfortable all day.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
Barthel Fruit Farm Barthel Fruit Farm offers both apple-picking and pumpkin-picking, along with a corn maze to explore.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
These Indiana orchards are here for the picking.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Sep. 2025
There can be no picking and choosing in the world of free expression.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
Think leaf-crunching hikes, afternoons spent apple picking, and wagon rides that feel straight out of another era.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Ellis' developing vocal chops alongside his intricate picking and playing are standouts on the song.
—Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2025
Do some lite picking-up around the apartment.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 17 Sep. 2025
Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Colleague Chad Jennings roasted me in March for picking the M’s.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Sure, hand and toe warmers help, but picking the right destination is crucial.
—Grace Bastidas, Parents, 29 Sep. 2025
One of the biggest areas of change in the last decade is related to associates that work in our stores, picking orders for delivery and pickup for our customers.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
Read on to find out what your peers are picking and to find out why each boozy bevvy is preferred by its corresponding sign.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
According to the 2024 third-round pick, Wallace is picking the brains of former All-Pro defender Luke Kuechly and Panthers GM Dan Morgan regularly.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2025
Here is who 61 national experts are picking to win the game.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025
Automation speeds up picking, packing, and delivery.
—Kurt Knutsson
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links., FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
Team it with ballet flats or sneakers for a casual day of apple-picking or tailgating this fall, or dress it up with tights and boots for holiday celebrations and other special occasions.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Fall adventures like apple picking, shopping at the farmers market, or hiking colorful trails require the right footwear to keep your feet comfortable all day.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
Barthel Fruit Farm Barthel Fruit Farm offers both apple-picking and pumpkin-picking, along with a corn maze to explore.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
These Indiana orchards are here for the picking.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Sep. 2025
There can be no picking and choosing in the world of free expression.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
Think leaf-crunching hikes, afternoons spent apple picking, and wagon rides that feel straight out of another era.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Ellis' developing vocal chops alongside his intricate picking and playing are standouts on the song.
—Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2025
Do some lite picking-up around the apartment.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
The woman decided to tweak her usual routine by picking different numbers.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Colleague Chad Jennings roasted me in March for picking the M’s.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Sure, hand and toe warmers help, but picking the right destination is crucial.
—Grace Bastidas, Parents, 29 Sep. 2025
One of the biggest areas of change in the last decade is related to associates that work in our stores, picking orders for delivery and pickup for our customers.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
Read on to find out what your peers are picking and to find out why each boozy bevvy is preferred by its corresponding sign.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
According to the 2024 third-round pick, Wallace is picking the brains of former All-Pro defender Luke Kuechly and Panthers GM Dan Morgan regularly.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2025
Here is who 61 national experts are picking to win the game.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025
Automation speeds up picking, packing, and delivery.
—Kurt Knutsson
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links., FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking
Noun
-
Tubi, our top choice for free streaming, has a significantly wider selection of horror content.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The sandwich options vary by protein, with choices including Spam, bacon, ham and spicy pork.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
So, while you might be tempted to store the mower after dealing with seasonal tasks like composting annuals and harvesting your garden, remember to keep mowing your grass as needed.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement As tech leaders deploy strategies and narratives that echo those of colonialism (read Karen Hao for more), the Congo is once again in the crosshairs, with miners harvesting the cobalt that powers smartphones, computers and electric vehicles in slave-like conditions.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For people who live outside of high-risk flood zones, skipping flood insurance and selecting lower-cost add-ons, like sump pump coverage, is routine.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Schloss Johannisberg further refined its approach to harvesting, introducing Auslese in 1787, which meant selecting grapes even later in the season, especially those affected by botrytis.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Throughout the weekend, McIlroy and other European players sparred with fans, provoking the Irish golfer in at least one instance to yell back at the crowd, while others flashed middle fingers in response to the jeers.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
-
There was the invasion, the election deniers, and a leader provoking his audience to do something.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The coffee and open food processing areas of a Tamarac gas station convenience store operating without a food permit got shut down by rodent nibbling and pooping.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Reynolds argued that contemporary pop is less about innovation and more about revisiting previous decades, blurring distinct eras, and nibbling away at the present’s identity.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
During the ensuing fight near the trail, the man gained control of Heskett’s pocketknife, stabbing him with it, Zajac was told – an account that would unravel by day’s end.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
-
In the wake of the stabbing death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte, North Carolina, light rail train, the state legislature introduced a bill to crack down on bail for violent offenders, drawing praise from one crime expert.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Hundreds of thousands of the paper’s readers abandoned it last year when Bezos decided not to endorse in the presidential election and to overhaul the opinion section.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
From coverage of the Tennessee Three expulsion votes to the mayoral election and local development, we are deeply invested in the stories that shape our region.—
Nashville Tennessean,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
So much so, eventually Hamblin ended up choosing the second and third pours of whiskey for us, instead of Gandano.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Birth parents frequently cite financial hardship as one of their primary reasons for choosing adoption.—
Nicole Chung,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Picking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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