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
Erik Anderson, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Baskets will be provided for produce picking.
—Lorenza Medley, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
Despite the heat, dozens of orchards welcomed families for an afternoon of live music, apple harvesting and festivities to kick off the picking season.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Shaped like miniature stars and dots, the hydrocolloid bandages not only cover blemishes and remove the temptation for picking, but also enable the inflammation to heal faster.
—Khanh T.l. Tran, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
The next few months bring endless possibilities for outdoor outings like pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and fall walks.
—Melody Kazel, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
These colors have their place, just like sipping pumpkin spice lattes, blasting Folklore through your speakers, and going apple picking.
—Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 29 Aug. 2025
With that hint of fall in the air comes peak apple-picking season.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2025
Sellers can store their inventory in the fulfillment centers, where Walmart takes care of picking, packing and shipping online orders.
—Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2025
Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
After more than an hour on the road, the team arrived at a cluster of trailers behind a long dirt path on a grower’s property in South Haven, tight quarters where farmworkers rest after long-hour shifts picking fruit under the Michigan sun.
—David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Therefore, there is cherry picking for negatives (like unemployment) to foster a desire for lower rates.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Whether you’re getting dressed for work, going out to eat, or simply picking casual pieces for everyday outfits, long-sleeve tops are a wardrobe staple for colder seasons.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
For parents who want to try implementing music as part of their baby's sleep routine, experts recommend picking one song and sticking with it.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 4 Sep. 2025
Tips for picking Powerball numbers The only real way to increase your odds of winning the jackpot is to buy more tickets.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Many Iranians wonder why their government spends so much money and effort on picking fights with Israel, the United States, and their allies, rather than on fixing its own corruption.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
There were a few of us who liked both the Eagles and X during those transitional years, but mostly people were picking one wave and not all of them.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
The magnificent colors of fall foliage, apple picking and pumpkin patches on local farms and the return of high school football.
—Erik Anderson, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Baskets will be provided for produce picking.
—Lorenza Medley, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
Despite the heat, dozens of orchards welcomed families for an afternoon of live music, apple harvesting and festivities to kick off the picking season.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Shaped like miniature stars and dots, the hydrocolloid bandages not only cover blemishes and remove the temptation for picking, but also enable the inflammation to heal faster.
—Khanh T.l. Tran, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
The next few months bring endless possibilities for outdoor outings like pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and fall walks.
—Melody Kazel, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
These colors have their place, just like sipping pumpkin spice lattes, blasting Folklore through your speakers, and going apple picking.
—Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 29 Aug. 2025
With that hint of fall in the air comes peak apple-picking season.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2025
Sellers can store their inventory in the fulfillment centers, where Walmart takes care of picking, packing and shipping online orders.
—Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
Both are solid options in their own ways, and picking one would no doubt harm the other.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
After more than an hour on the road, the team arrived at a cluster of trailers behind a long dirt path on a grower’s property in South Haven, tight quarters where farmworkers rest after long-hour shifts picking fruit under the Michigan sun.
—David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Therefore, there is cherry picking for negatives (like unemployment) to foster a desire for lower rates.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Whether you’re getting dressed for work, going out to eat, or simply picking casual pieces for everyday outfits, long-sleeve tops are a wardrobe staple for colder seasons.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
For parents who want to try implementing music as part of their baby's sleep routine, experts recommend picking one song and sticking with it.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 4 Sep. 2025
Tips for picking Powerball numbers The only real way to increase your odds of winning the jackpot is to buy more tickets.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Many Iranians wonder why their government spends so much money and effort on picking fights with Israel, the United States, and their allies, rather than on fixing its own corruption.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
There were a few of us who liked both the Eagles and X during those transitional years, but mostly people were picking one wave and not all of them.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking
Noun
-
This grew far beyond the typical choice routes coming out of the backfield.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Red twig dogwood Red twig dogwood is another great choice.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Add garlic to the garden for more than harvesting the delicious bulbs.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Late summer to early fall is a time for harvesting corn in much of the United States.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Las Vegas Raiders completely revamped their backfield this offseason, selecting Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick of the NFL Draft and also adding former Pro Bowl running back Raheem Mostert in free agency.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Two-time Oscar-winning director Alexander Payne (The Holdovers, Sideways) chaired the panel of global film figures tasked with the difficult duty of selecting this year’s winners.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Gallery hoppers will also find design showcases at the Museu del Disseny at Glòries and thought-provoking contemporary exhibitions at MACBA (The Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona).—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Like most of McElwee’s films, including Sherman’s March itself, this one juxtaposes two seemingly unrelated things in surprising and thought-provoking ways.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As Noack played, people stood overlooking the valley with wine glasses in hand or sat barefoot in the grass, nibbling on olives and cheese.—
Elena Valeriote,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Cape Cod potato chips were served as a light, crunchy snack, ideal for nibbling between games or mingling.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The video shows Brown seated behind the victim before pulling out a folding knife and stabbing her multiple times without provocation.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Around four minutes later, the man pulls out a knife and begins stabbing Zarutska three times, including at least once in the neck.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With less than two months out to Election Day, this year's elections -- ranging from hot-button mayoral and gubernatorial contests to a vote over new congressional maps -- are set to ramp up as candidates begin to make their final pitches to voters.—
Grace Sandman,
ABC News,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The county Board of Supervisors directed the changes in response to concerns that had long existed for a small faction of grassroots activists but took on new fervor after the 2024 election — when voters installed three new Republican members of the board.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Soaking legumes and choosing whole grains over refined grains can improve your magnesium absorption.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The woman agrees with that perspective and is choosing to look at it as a learning experience.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Picking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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