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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking off
Verb
-
Earlier, Israel bombed Iranian cities—with explosions heard in Tehran, Tabriz, and Isfahan—as well as an Iranian petrochemical plant in Bandar-e Mahshar after intercepting a wave of ballistic missiles from Iran on Sunday night.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
8 June 2026
-
Kuwaiti’s military said forces were intercepting missiles and drones attacking the country, while Bahrain activated air raid sirens and told residents to move to the nearest safe location and follow official instructions.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The suspects asked if Apple Pay was accepted before grabbing a box of cash.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
-
Jose Alvarado also got physical in Game 4, grabbing one of Wembanyama's legs during a hard foul.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secertary of State Shirley Weber filed a lawsuit on Friday aimed at blocking a Shasta County ballot initiative that would set up a range of new voting rules.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
The bill would require an assessment of figures blocking humanitarian aid delivery, extend the authorization for the vacant Special Envoy to Sudan position, and direct the State Department to designate the Rapid Support Forces as a group for sanctions.—
Adrian Elimian,
semafor.com,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Picking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking%20off. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
