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

Relevance

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 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 Despite emerging from the pits behind McLaughlin, Malukas swept past his teammate on the out lap before also picking off Palou, putting him ahead of the two yellow cars once again. Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 24 May 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking off
Verb
  • Russia has launched several large-scale attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks as Ukraine faces a shortage of Patriot air defense missiles, which are its most effective means of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • Both Bahrain and Kuwait have reported intercepting Iranian aerial attacks today, after the US launched yet another round of strikes at Iran overnight.
    Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Verb
  • Permethrin is a spray that works on clothing and gear to keep ticks from grabbing you, but do not put it directly on your skin!
    Amanda Roome, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
  • As recently as 2021, he was accused of grabbing the mother of one of his children and throwing her to the ground.
    Candace Buckner, New York Times, 16 July 2026
Verb
  • That sparked concerns across the political spectrum about investors blocking homeownership and driving up rents.
    Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
  • The video shows a black pickup blocking the roadway and a man whom investigators identified as Reyes-Isabel approach Quiroz-Mata’s vehicle with a handgun and fire five shots into it, the affidavit states.
    Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 15 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster