picking off

present participle of pick off
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of picking off Ethan O’Connor had a highlight late in the game, picking off a pass from Lopez inside the Miami 5-yard line. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026 After leading the team in the preseason with 16 tackles and picking off multiple passes in training camp, the staff elected to go with Alijah Clark instead for special teams purposes. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026 The Centurion defense played a big part in things, picking off five Olympian passes. — Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 Gullion has observed such grouse picking off nearly 50 buds per minute. — Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 In the version that had taken shape in my mind over time, he was perched in a clinic window, picking off random people in the parking lot. — Margrét Ann Thors, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026 However, working against the backup units, Kilgore has found himself around the ball quite a bit, even picking off an inaccurate pass from Shane Buechele on Saturday. — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 When a masked slasher in a Ghostface mask begins picking off kids at Sidney’s high school, everyone puts their heads together to pinpoint the killer. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026 Harriet died a few years before Leo, and then Leo passed, picking off enemy planes in a brief delirium. — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 30 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking off
Verb
  • The Hurricanes forced two turnovers — with JJ Dunnigan and Damon Wilson II recovering fumbles that ultimately led to Miami touchdowns and Brody Jennings intercepting a pass with just over three minutes left to play.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The next season, despite not intercepting a pass, McDuffie earned All-Pro recognition.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Michael the Lawyer and Ben the Barrel Racer go into the third crypt (Alan calls them gay Lara Crofts) and have the option of grabbing $15,000 in gold or $5,000 and a clue about the Traitors.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Smith’s own reflection points to why the day-to-day matters more than any headline-grabbing cleanse.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The behaviors run the full range, from tiny tweaks like stashing the phone across the room, killing pointless notifications and blocking off screen-free stretches, all the way to full-day commitments to unplug.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Asked by the judge how the settlement addresses the state AGs’ concerns over competition, as outlined in its antitrust case, Blizzard said the reasoning was that the states were wary about permanently blocking the Paramount-WBD deal.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Picking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking%20off. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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