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
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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
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
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His arrest on Friday followed an intelligence operation in which officers circulated his description before intercepting him at the airport.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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Woolen finished the offseason program with perhaps his best performance yet, including intercepting Hurts while in tight coverage on a pass across the middle to Dallas Goedert and blanketing a receiver on a deep ball.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Farage, Reform’s attention-grabbing but divisive leader, was a curiously low-key presence.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
-
With that in mind, if the Pacers want to acquire a draft pick, following their past and grabbing one in the 30s makes good sense.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Residents should be able to drive down public streets, park their vehicles, access businesses, or return home without having their property damaged or being trapped by crowds blocking roadways and intersections.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
-
Biden moved to intervene and asked the court to issue a preliminary injunction blocking the disclosure.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Picking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking%20off. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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