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
Izzy Baskette, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
As the fall season flourishes, activities like visiting a pumpkin patch, evening hayrides, apple-picking, and even jumping into leaf piles also become part of our daily rituals.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
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
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
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
KuiMen Autumn Harvest Festival Wreath with Faux Apples This 22-inch-wide wreath showcases an array of faux apples, berries, pomegranates, and leaves, ideal for anyone who enjoys apple picking and baking apple pies.
—Izzy Baskette, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
As the fall season flourishes, activities like visiting a pumpkin patch, evening hayrides, apple-picking, and even jumping into leaf piles also become part of our daily rituals.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
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
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
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
-
The glamorous look is more daring than Robbie's usual red carpet choices, but stands out as a striking entry in the naked dress trend.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The choice is still ours to make.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Renaud Tixier’s movement is a highly innovative micro-rotor movement that features an inertia wheel within the micro-rotor and a ‘dancer’ spring, orchestrated to optimize winding by harvesting even the smallest motion.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Add garlic to the garden for more than harvesting the delicious bulbs.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This evolved into a prototype chiefly engineered by Burrell Smith, selecting for its CPU the 8-bit Motorola 6809 as an upgrade from the Apple II's MOS 6502 but still keeping costs low.—
Cameron Kaiser,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
-
At the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, the Reply AI Film Festival named Love at First Sight by Jacopo Reale, its Grand Prize winner, The AI Film Festival announced winners during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, selecting from over 2,500 submissions from 67 countries.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column explores the intersection of space technology and policy, providing thought-provoking commentary on the latest advancements and regulatory developments in the sector.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Follow Scheffler for destination stories, travel trends and thought-provoking conversations from the world of travel.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
7 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
-
Advertisement Advertisement Adolescence, a series about a 13-year-old boy named Jamie Miller (Cooper), who is arrested because he’s accused of stabbing a female classmate, racked up 13 Emmy nominations this year.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The homeless felon accused of stabbing a young Ukrainian commuter to death on a Charlotte light rail train comes from a household where run-ins with the law have been a way of life.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In Argentina, two have been convicted, including Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who was found guilty of fraudulent administration in 2022 and is currently under house arrest and banned from running for election; while in Guatemala, three have been convicted.—
Sofía Benavides,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The partisan map, if passed at the polls, would replace the independent commission's work for the next three elections.—
Larry Kaplow,
NPR,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This means regularly assessing your thinking skills, consciously choosing when to engage versus delegate mental tasks, and maintaining practices that keep your mind sharp.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Neighbors lined up against the farmers’ solar project, putting the county commission in a position of choosing between private property rights and what neighbors think is best.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Picking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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