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
Bears defensive back Tyrique Stevenson, who had earlier recovered a fumble and has been on a playmaking tear, opened the second half by picking off Geno Smith and putting the Bears at the Raiders’ 40-yard line.
—
Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
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
Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking off
Verb
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Even with the Wolves’ Davin Hill intercepting a pass at the end of the quarter, the Jaguars led 26-16.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Oct. 2025
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Italian, Swedish and Finnish fighter jets were all involved in shadowing or intercepting the MiG-31s, the spokesperson said.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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SpaceX was also famously involved in funding and operating the headline-grabbing Polaris Dawn crewed commercial mission in September 2024.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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This could mean opting for non-cocoa items or grabbing a treat with filler that is not 100% cocoa.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While Fleck has had success against the Huskers, his team’s two main problems (tackling and blocking) haven’t been resolved.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
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The unusually large protest crippled traffic in the heart of the Belgian capital, blocking major roads.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Picking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking%20off. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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