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
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
The Rise of Active Trading Culture Online brokerage apps, real-time data, and communities built around stock picking have changed how people learn.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Before the start of the festival, Mager, 40, got on a video call from her basement in Brooklyn to talk about the origins of the story, the casting and the picking of the songs for the musical numbers.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Sonically, this fan-favorite from McCollum falls right in his wheelhouse with his muscular vocal picking up the pain and loneliness of the lyrics, bolstered by smooth piano, bass and surging electric guitar.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2026
For them, building a wine with aging potential starts long before harvest—knowing the vineyard and soil, controlling production, choosing the right picking moment, selecting fruit and deciding in advance whether the wine will be aged in stainless steel, oak or concrete.
—Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
These ideas are big and ripe for the picking, but James’ interest in delivering a full meal verges on overstuffed.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
No more picking winners and losers.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Using metal as a pick is rare, but not unheard of – Brian May (Queen) uses an old English sixpence, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) has had a peso in his picking hand, there's Eddie Van Halen of course, and Phil Collen (Def Leppard) has rocked the bright attack of metal on metal too.
—New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2026
Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Only Nick Brinkerhoff is picking the Seahawks to win in blowout fashion, by a score of 34-17.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
The Herald sports staff did their best to predict what will happen in the big game, from picking an X-factor to MVP and the final score.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
But Porter said picking seniors players over a coach because the players might not be guaranteed another chance as a finalist was not allowed.
—Josh Dubow, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
But Porter said picking seniors players over a coach because the players might not be guaranteed another chance as a finalist was not allowed.
—Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
The recent first-time Emmy nominee is being careful picking new roles.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Flanking Arraez at first base will likely be Rafael Devers, who is still learning the position after picking it up last season.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026
In this environment, the state is not just a regulator but a central player, directing capital, insuring risk, and picking winners in the race for technological dominance.
—Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
Wheeled robots handled industrial workflows such as grocery picking, container movement, and packing.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
The Rise of Active Trading Culture Online brokerage apps, real-time data, and communities built around stock picking have changed how people learn.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Before the start of the festival, Mager, 40, got on a video call from her basement in Brooklyn to talk about the origins of the story, the casting and the picking of the songs for the musical numbers.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Sonically, this fan-favorite from McCollum falls right in his wheelhouse with his muscular vocal picking up the pain and loneliness of the lyrics, bolstered by smooth piano, bass and surging electric guitar.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2026
For them, building a wine with aging potential starts long before harvest—knowing the vineyard and soil, controlling production, choosing the right picking moment, selecting fruit and deciding in advance whether the wine will be aged in stainless steel, oak or concrete.
—Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
These ideas are big and ripe for the picking, but James’ interest in delivering a full meal verges on overstuffed.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
No more picking winners and losers.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Using metal as a pick is rare, but not unheard of – Brian May (Queen) uses an old English sixpence, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) has had a peso in his picking hand, there's Eddie Van Halen of course, and Phil Collen (Def Leppard) has rocked the bright attack of metal on metal too.
—New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
That’s impressive for a rebuilding team, but is anyone picking the Ducks over the Oilers in a playoff series?
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Only Nick Brinkerhoff is picking the Seahawks to win in blowout fashion, by a score of 34-17.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
The Herald sports staff did their best to predict what will happen in the big game, from picking an X-factor to MVP and the final score.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
But Porter said picking seniors players over a coach because the players might not be guaranteed another chance as a finalist was not allowed.
—Josh Dubow, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026
But Porter said picking seniors players over a coach because the players might not be guaranteed another chance as a finalist was not allowed.
—Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
The recent first-time Emmy nominee is being careful picking new roles.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Flanking Arraez at first base will likely be Rafael Devers, who is still learning the position after picking it up last season.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026
In this environment, the state is not just a regulator but a central player, directing capital, insuring risk, and picking winners in the race for technological dominance.
—Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking
Noun
-
Casado also seemed to enjoy himself, reminding fans of his breakout performances last year at times, but De Jong remains first-choice in that midfield role.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The show is presented as a response to the official Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show headlined by Bad Bunny as the choice of the Puerto Rican mega-star drew backlash from conservatives.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That includes recording audio through your phone’s microphone, harvesting messages, contacts and account details, stealing photos and other files, making calls, even wiping the device.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
They’re each charged with burglary and illegally harvesting a tarpon.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The timing of the election initially prompted concern from Kane County Board Chair Corinne Pierog, who expressed the opinion that selecting a candidate to fill the seat now would enable that individual to claim to be the incumbent, thereby giving them an edge in the election.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
When selecting art, don't get caught up in arbitrary rules.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Officials’ insistence that citizens who record agents are provoking violent retribution is a justification for what is becoming a very literal war on truth.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
-
In the main event of SmackDown, Trick Williams defeated Damian Priest by DQ after provoking Sami Zayn.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The water is brackish and refreshingly cold, with darting fish nibbling at dangling feet.—
Anna Zacharias,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Setting traps and baits eradicates or, at least, discourages these pests from tunneling through your garden and nibbling roots to damage perennials and shrubs.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Brown is accused of stabbing Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, on a Charlotte light rail train last year, a brutal attack that drew national outrage after surveillance video of the killing was released.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The man accused of stabbing a Butler County Sheriff's Office deputy has been charged, according to court records.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
My focus is on job approval, which not only captures a president’s popularity but has a huge impact on the performance of the president’s party in other elections, such as the upcoming November midterms.—
Craig Gilbert,
jsonline.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Smith argued that economic concerns are where the battle for this year’s elections lies.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Despite defeat, and a nasty fall, Anne would return to England at the end of the Games, paying homage to her country and the spirit of the British team by choosing to wear their uniform, a light blue suit with white hat, during the trip.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Soil and Water When choosing a place in your yard for skeleton flower plants, select loamy, well-drained, yet moist soil that is rich in organic matter—think forest floor, not a sunny vegetable garden.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Picking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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