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
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Recent Examples of picking off
Bonner, who was re-signed by the new regime, logged 90 defensive snaps last season, permitting a TD reception but also picking off a pass.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
In the 2025 regular season with the Rams, Durant hauled in three interceptions before picking off three more in the playoffs, including two in the NFC Divisional Round overtime win against the Chicago Bears.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
Fitzpatrick spent most of six seasons with the Steelers, making the All-Pro team three times while picking off 18 passes during that time.
—Dennis Waszak, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
Unsurprisingly, a new Ghostface shows up on set and begins picking off both the cast and their real-life counterparts.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
Among those career interceptions were the game-sealing one against the Minnesota Vikings, picking off the great Fran Tarkenton to give the Steelers the Super Bowl IX victory — the franchise’s first.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
The lasting memory of his seven-year NFL tenure will be the astute recognition of a Seahawks goal-line concept, blowing up receiver Ricardo Lockette and picking off quarterback Russell Wilson to let New England prevail.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
Quadruple Loop This jump is more difficult because Malinin takes off and lands on the same leg, without the assistance of picking off the ice.
—Alice Park, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Sounds like Canada is picking off our friends.
—CBS News, 25 Jan. 2026
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
In the 2025 regular season with the Rams, Durant hauled in three interceptions before picking off three more in the playoffs, including two in the NFC Divisional Round overtime win against the Chicago Bears.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
Fitzpatrick spent most of six seasons with the Steelers, making the All-Pro team three times while picking off 18 passes during that time.
—Dennis Waszak, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
Unsurprisingly, a new Ghostface shows up on set and begins picking off both the cast and their real-life counterparts.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
Among those career interceptions were the game-sealing one against the Minnesota Vikings, picking off the great Fran Tarkenton to give the Steelers the Super Bowl IX victory — the franchise’s first.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
The lasting memory of his seven-year NFL tenure will be the astute recognition of a Seahawks goal-line concept, blowing up receiver Ricardo Lockette and picking off quarterback Russell Wilson to let New England prevail.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
Quadruple Loop This jump is more difficult because Malinin takes off and lands on the same leg, without the assistance of picking off the ice.
—Alice Park, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Sounds like Canada is picking off our friends.
—CBS News, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking off
Verb
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In the 66th minute, Ary Borges stepped in front of a Chicago defender, intercepting a pass from goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and slipped the ball into the back of the net.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
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Produced by Damai Entertainment, the film stars Jackson Yee and Zhu Yilong as elite agents in a specialized National Security unit tasked with intercepting a spy ring attempting to leak classified information.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The news led Deadline to pose the question of whether happenstance means Cannes might struggle to add headline-grabbing movies this year, with several other blockbusters unlikely to screen there.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
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Video of that incident shows Peters grabbing the other woman and shoving her into the center of a hallway.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Israeli military later posted a second message in Farsi, noting the head of Iran's judiciary was at the rally and criticizing Iran for blocking many from seeing their warning, as authorities in Iran have almost completely shut down internet access.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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Ili New York Mini Crossbody Bag This fashion-forward option is made from genuine leather with RFID-blocking pockets.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Picking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking%20off. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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