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
Not opportunistically picking off babies from the ground.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
But while Louis Moore was exemplary in 2025 — picking off six passes and helping anchor a sturdy secondary on Indiana’s national championship team — NFL evaluators have doubts about whether his modest size (5-10, 191) and limited athleticism will lend itself to a long-term NFL career.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Since the start of the shutdown, the House has passed a bill to fully fund all of DHS for fiscal year 2027 at least four times -- even picking off some Democrats along the way.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
In order to pull off a stunner, Democrats must hold their own while picking off four GOP seats.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
After weeks and weeks of speculation of who could be available when the Cowboys were on the clock for their first selection in the first round, the board began quickly picking off talented defensive players.
—Nick Harris
april 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Steph Curry pitched the ball to Draymond Green, who set a screen and immediately tossed it back to Curry while picking off a defender.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Woo cleared the base paths after picking off the runner for the second out of the inning.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Charlisse-Leger Walker followed her lead, picking off a pass and kicking it ahead to Jaquez, who drew a trip to the line.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
But while Louis Moore was exemplary in 2025 — picking off six passes and helping anchor a sturdy secondary on Indiana’s national championship team — NFL evaluators have doubts about whether his modest size (5-10, 191) and limited athleticism will lend itself to a long-term NFL career.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Since the start of the shutdown, the House has passed a bill to fully fund all of DHS for fiscal year 2027 at least four times -- even picking off some Democrats along the way.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
In order to pull off a stunner, Democrats must hold their own while picking off four GOP seats.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
After weeks and weeks of speculation of who could be available when the Cowboys were on the clock for their first selection in the first round, the board began quickly picking off talented defensive players.
—Nick Harris
april 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Steph Curry pitched the ball to Draymond Green, who set a screen and immediately tossed it back to Curry while picking off a defender.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Woo cleared the base paths after picking off the runner for the second out of the inning.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Charlisse-Leger Walker followed her lead, picking off a pass and kicking it ahead to Jaquez, who drew a trip to the line.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking off
Verb
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Separately, a drone strike caused a fire near a UAE nuclear facility, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting drones apparently entering its airspace from Iraq, perhaps launched by Iranian proxies.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
18 May 2026
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The United Arab Emirates also said a drone strike caused a fire at a nuclear power plant, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting three drones from Iraqi airspace.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors have theorized that after Mackenzie sped up the car, Dominic and Davion could have tried to stop the crash by grabbing the wheel or gear shift.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
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Consider grabbing a set of packing cubes, which are great for packing for vacation and storing and organizing items at home.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Teräväinen, 31, was inches from blocking the airborne puck that Connor McDavid passed to Nathan MacKinnon for the winning goal that sent Canada past Finland and into the gold-medal game.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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Skywatchers across parts of the Pacific will see the moon pass in front of the bright star Regulus on May 23, temporarily blocking its light in a celestial event known as a lunar occultation.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Picking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking%20off. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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