as in selected
singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking a picked group of people for the project
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1
as in harvested
to catch or collect (a crop or natural resource) for human use pick peas and beans from the garden for dinner
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2
as in chose
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities I pick you as my partner
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3
as in provoked
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being he seems to be trying to pick a fight
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4
5
as in stabbed
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object continued to pick the block of ice until she was able to extract the shrimp
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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 picked
Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026 If the stem is still attached or the scar looks jagged and raised, the fruit was likely picked too early and may not be as sweet. —Sheela Prakash, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026 When the team upset Canada in overtime to win the gold medal, whoever was not picked was no longer a thought. —Mac Engel april 21, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026 At the time of Paton and Payton picked Barron, last spring’s first-round selection, folks didn’t whoop and holler. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026 Oddsmakers have Simpson as a slight favorite to be picked in round one with the over/under of his selection spot at 24 1/2. —ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026 Punk appeared helpless as Reigns picked him up. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026 The California crowd picked it up immediately. —Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 The Reds picked seventh, selecting right-hander Rhett Lowder, who will start against Mahle on Wednesday. —C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
Newly opened Fowlescombe Farm, a 450-acre estate in south Devon, England, where Tamworth piglets and Manx Loaghtan sheep roam free and wildflowers are encouraged to be picked, lures guests with the promise of slow living. —Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026 If the stem is still attached or the scar looks jagged and raised, the fruit was likely picked too early and may not be as sweet. —Sheela Prakash, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026 When the team upset Canada in overtime to win the gold medal, whoever was not picked was no longer a thought. —Mac Engel april 21, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026 At the time of Paton and Payton picked Barron, last spring’s first-round selection, folks didn’t whoop and holler. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026 Oddsmakers have Simpson as a slight favorite to be picked in round one with the over/under of his selection spot at 24 1/2. —ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026 Punk appeared helpless as Reigns picked him up. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026 The California crowd picked it up immediately. —Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 The Reds picked seventh, selecting right-hander Rhett Lowder, who will start against Mahle on Wednesday. —C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picked
Adjective
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The selected artist will be notified by early October.— News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
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The gist, however, seems to be that extra-terrestrials make contact with a selected few, before promising to go public to the entire world — good luck dealing with the ramifications of that one, human race!— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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These cool-weather root vegetables can be planted in April in zones 3-10 and harvested 50 to 70 days after planting, before temperatures get too hot.— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
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The ice at these locations could be harvested to supply drinking water, oxygen, and rocket fuel for a lunar outpost.— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In 2018, Target provoked the ire of New York music lovers by tweaking CBGB’s famous awning to celebrate the opening of a new retail location in Astor Place.— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2026
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Focused on fast payouts — with many conducted in around four hours — these models target rural populations in particular, which are increasingly impacted by unexpected weather patterns and natural disasters provoked by climate change.— Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Threatened by the lack of water and nibbled by starving livestock, the trees that once formed a dense forest in the Somali region of Ethiopia are in danger, locals say.— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
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That led to a viral moment in a Lions’ Thanksgiving Day game when his teammates were shown chowing down on the turkey provided by Fox, while Montgomery nibbled on a carrot.— Matt Young, Houston Chronicle, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Smith lived in Brownsville, less than a mile from where he was stabbed, according to cops.— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
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Activist tied to Oprah, Biden stabbed in ambush, mom slain; suspect nabbed.— , FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Since select streamers are offering free trials and limited-time discounts, viewers can watch the latest episodes of Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever at no cost; keep reading to learn more about each option.— Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
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The food tour company also offers small group culinary tours that include cooking courses taking place on select dates or that can be scheduled at any time.— Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An early investigation by county detectives found that a small group of people was gathered on the sidewalk outside of a residence on Braddock Avenue when someone began shooting at them from across the street.— Patrick Damp, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
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The foursome and their furry friend went out to greet the citizens who had gathered in front of the palace to congratulate Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and to enjoy the concert performed in her honor by the band of the Royal Guard during the relay.— Marta Martínez Tato, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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John Klingberg then took control of a loose puck and gave it to Celebrini, who fired it over to an open Smith for his 24th of the season.— Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
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Police served a search warrant at the house and took several items as possible evidence.— City News Service, Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Picked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/picked. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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