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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking off
Verb
  • From intercepting Dak Prescott in the end zone to multiple pass breakups across consecutive days at practice, Durant has just been the more consistent guy.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Patriot remains the only air defense system in Ukraine's arsenal capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The trio of founders allegedly told investors that the brand would feature an app as its centerpiece and be boosted by major advertising deals and attention-grabbing celebrity photo shoots and cover stories.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
  • One of the most attention-grabbing stars in the sky still keeps its secrets close—and that is one of the main reasons astronomers have so much fun studying it.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The trailer then came to a rest, blocking the eastbound lanes of C-470.
    Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • This happens when the moon passes in front of the sun, completely blocking it from our perspective here on Earth.
    Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 13 Aug. 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 16 Aug. 2026.

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