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
Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Fall weather can fluctuate wildly from frosty mornings to warm autumn days that are perfect for apple picking and getting late-season gardening tasks done.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
Layer up with a closet full of new seasonal tops—ready for the picking.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
Luckily for all those who love a ‘lil color, The Lip Treatment has four shades ripe for the picking, from the delicate, ultra-sheer Bare to the darker, sumptuous, ideal-for-fall Cocoa.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
With hayrides, apple picking, and football comes the arrival of October Prime Day, which is back this week for its third year in a row.
—Madison Yauger, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
There will be some tough picking in there, but typically the predicting business gets a little easier in region play.
—Tyler Palmateer, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Oct. 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
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025
There has been some rainfall, but generally dry conditions have supported picking.
—Sj Guest Editorial, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Bouncing back from a brutal day at Florida last week, the Horns suffocated Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (20 of 38 for 202 yards), sacking him five times and picking him thrice.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Here is who 61 national experts are picking to win the Chiefs-Lions game.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2025
GiveToby the sleepy Golden Retriever at Green Mountain Orchards a pat on the head before picking apples and snagging yourself an apple cider donut (a reward for all of your hard work, of course).
—Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
The blast was heard for miles, with a home security camera over 20 miles away picking it up and residents reporting the ground shaking.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
On its own, the 5070 Ti sells for $800, so picking it up inside a capable gaming laptop with a good-looking screen and style for miles for just a little bit more than that is a massive bargain.
—PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
Of course, this requires an incredible sense of equilibrium in the vineyard, including pinpointing when the grapes have reached full ripeness while still retaining a very high level of acidity, leaving a very small window for picking.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
Best Things to Do What says fall better than apple picking?
—Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Fall weather can fluctuate wildly from frosty mornings to warm autumn days that are perfect for apple picking and getting late-season gardening tasks done.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
Layer up with a closet full of new seasonal tops—ready for the picking.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
Luckily for all those who love a ‘lil color, The Lip Treatment has four shades ripe for the picking, from the delicate, ultra-sheer Bare to the darker, sumptuous, ideal-for-fall Cocoa.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
With hayrides, apple picking, and football comes the arrival of October Prime Day, which is back this week for its third year in a row.
—Madison Yauger, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
There will be some tough picking in there, but typically the predicting business gets a little easier in region play.
—Tyler Palmateer, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Oct. 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
Verb
Those who live in the South know all too well the struggles of picking the right clothes to wear in the fall, when mornings are crisp and cool but days are still warm and toasty.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025
There has been some rainfall, but generally dry conditions have supported picking.
—Sj Guest Editorial, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Bouncing back from a brutal day at Florida last week, the Horns suffocated Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (20 of 38 for 202 yards), sacking him five times and picking him thrice.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Here is who 61 national experts are picking to win the Chiefs-Lions game.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2025
GiveToby the sleepy Golden Retriever at Green Mountain Orchards a pat on the head before picking apples and snagging yourself an apple cider donut (a reward for all of your hard work, of course).
—Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
The blast was heard for miles, with a home security camera over 20 miles away picking it up and residents reporting the ground shaking.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
On its own, the 5070 Ti sells for $800, so picking it up inside a capable gaming laptop with a good-looking screen and style for miles for just a little bit more than that is a massive bargain.
—PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
Of course, this requires an incredible sense of equilibrium in the vineyard, including pinpointing when the grapes have reached full ripeness while still retaining a very high level of acidity, leaving a very small window for picking.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking
Noun
-
How self-reflection operates matters because it will always be needed to make wiser choices about our toughest challenges.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The styling move — boots tucked cleanly under denim — is a classic styling choice for a reason.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When harvesting the nuts, pickers should wear gloves to protect their hands from the walnuts' juice, which will stain hands.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The race to dominate the humanoid robotics market is as much about harvesting 3D data as finessing the nuts and bolts.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This year, the foundation received a tenfold increase in applications for its Local Grand Program, selecting 10 winners out of a field of 2,500 nonprofits to receive a total of $250,000 in funding.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Plenty of shrubs love full sun, but selecting shrubs that do well in shade conditions can be tricky.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Dave and a rotating cast of smart, thought-provoking guests talk about their inspirations, failures, successes, fame, and identities.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
-
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,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
My favorite place to enjoy them is Louis Cafe, where they’re tossed with parsley, onion, and red peppers—ideal for nibbling while people-watching and soaking up the live jazz that gives this new-school kafeneio, or café, its charm.—
Katherine Whittaker,
Saveur,
9 Oct. 2025
-
In the legendary revelation scene, Billy (Skeet Ulrich) and Stu (Matthew Lillard) passionately cling to each other, with Stu practically nibbling on Billy’s ear.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The 33-year-old suspect in the Kroger Marketplace stabbing in Southgate was acting in self-defense while being punched at work, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
And when her neighbor horrifyingly begins stabbing herself repeatedly.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Records analyzed by the Senate elections committee found lawmakers do not often use campaign funds for security purposes.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
12 Oct. 2025
-
There’s a chance for Argentina now to put itself on a good economic track if Milei does well in the midterms, but everything has to go perfectly and the administration is essentially looking to keep markets in line until election day, the person said.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Some families are choosing to forgo internet and cell service on vacation to encourage more quality time.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The United States may be choosing to step back.—
Sergio Alonso Fernández de Córdova y de Veyga,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Picking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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