as in intercepting
to stop, seize, or interrupt while in progress or on course
picked off more passes than any other player in the division
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of picking off
Unsurprisingly, a new Ghostface shows up on set and begins picking off both the cast and their real-life counterparts.
—
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Staley struck again on the next possession, picking off a Sagapolutele sideline pass.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Sep. 2025
The Dead Don't Die In Jim Jarmusch's absurdist apocalypse comedy, flesh-craving zombies raid the once-tranquil town of Centerville, picking off its residents one by one.
—James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Bailey wound up deflecting 21 throws and picking off 10 others.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
The Soviets have put down a rebellion against the puppet government that ruled in Budapest and are now in the process of picking off the politicians, students, and general who had led it.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
Indeed, what Ransom did after picking off Mason Rudolph and returning the ball 16 yards didn’t look much like that at all.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2025
The Jayhawks also caused two turnovers by picking off Fresno State quarterback EJ Warner once in each half.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2025
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Staley struck again on the next possession, picking off a Sagapolutele sideline pass.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Sep. 2025
The Dead Don't Die In Jim Jarmusch's absurdist apocalypse comedy, flesh-craving zombies raid the once-tranquil town of Centerville, picking off its residents one by one.
—James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Bailey wound up deflecting 21 throws and picking off 10 others.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
The Soviets have put down a rebellion against the puppet government that ruled in Budapest and are now in the process of picking off the politicians, students, and general who had led it.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
Indeed, what Ransom did after picking off Mason Rudolph and returning the ball 16 yards didn’t look much like that at all.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2025
The Jayhawks also caused two turnovers by picking off Fresno State quarterback EJ Warner once in each half.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking off
Verb
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The La Jolla High School player was a force on both sides of the ball, catching 52 passes for 769 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense and intercepting eight passes and forcing three fumbles as a defender.—
Clark Fahrenthold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Sep. 2025
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However, the game entirely swung in the Eagles' favor after intercepting Mahomes on a pass into the end zone that hit Kelce in the hands, which would have otherwise given the Chiefs a fourth quarter lead had Kelce made the catch.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the footage, a uniformed officer is seen forcibly grabbing the female passenger’s arm and yanking her towards the aisle.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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Go out there and jump and grabbing balls out of the air.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In terms of how the oral medicine works, JOURNAVX provides relief by blocking pain signals found in the periphery, not in the brain, like traditional opioids.—
Essence,
Essence,
25 Sep. 2025
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Per city guidance, leave a one-foot gap between the curb and the leaf piles to avoid blocking storm drains and ensure all leaves can be picked up.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Picking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking%20off. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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