PICKING Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

picking 1 of 2

noun

as in choice

the act or process of selecting the picking of new recruits went on for three days

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picking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of pick

as in harvesting

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in selecting

to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities I pick you as my partner

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in provoking

to bring (something volatile or intense) into being he seems to be trying to pick a fight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in nibbling

to eat reluctantly and in small bites still suffering from the shock of his wife's death, he could do no more than pick halfheartedly at his food

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stabbing

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 picking

Noun

While his brothers showed little interest, Dimon gravitated toward big business bets and used the simulation games to learn the fundamentals of stock picking and decision making. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 29 July 2026 As a bonus, the season also brings plenty of opportunities for apple picking, pumpkin patches, and other seasonal activities. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2026 Summer meant waiting until those wild berry bushes hidden in the woods near grandma’s house were finally ripe for the picking. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 July 2026 Mangoes are ripe for the picking in South Florida and the avocado trees are full. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026 In her youth, John had taught her that children’s birthday parties were ripe for the picking. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 The investment is seen as a validation of Sereact’s Cortex technology, a universal AI operating system that can run across multiple hardware forms such as single-arm picking cells, dual-arm return stations, and humanoid robots. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 21 July 2026 Larger pests, like slugs, are best controlled with hand-picking or by companion planting petunias with plants that naturally deter pests. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 14 July 2026 Angelica volunteers every year for picking, but that ain’t never gonna happen. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

Verb

The standard way to shop usually means picking recipes first, making a list, and buying those exact ingredients regardless of price. — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 31 July 2026 Conservationists in the area have rallied around the remaining tree, slamming Homeland Security for not picking an alternative route that does not involve cutting down the trees. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 30 July 2026 France then took off for home, but because Tovar quickly ran over to grab the ball and because France is not fast, there would have been a close play at the plate had Tovar not dropped the ball after picking it up. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026 Since August marks the beginning of the in-between time of summer and fall, bridge the beauty gap by picking the best late-summer nail shades for your monthly manicure. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 July 2026 Every year, around this time, the blueberry patch is checked often until the berries are ready for picking, our founder shared in a recent blog post. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 July 2026 Ample support is vital for stays of more than a night or two, and picking one that doesn’t leak air significantly will keep your guests from waking up on the floor. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 Still, as the season’s profits illustrate, carefully picking home run props can leave bettors in the black. — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026 By picking something like Quince’s Powder-Coated Aluminum Outdoor Dining Set, available in sage green, your furniture complements the plants. — Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking

Noun

This fuss-free pair has it all—plenty of color choices, comfy low heels, and a sleek, versatile design that will easily match any outfit, especially mini skirts and dresses.

— Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026
The choice between El-Sayed and Stevens has become a focal point for Democrats this year, and the race has become bitter.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of choice

Verb

Or abalone farmed in Santa Barbara—California’s ban on harvesting wild abalone remains in place—served au gratin or as crudo.

— David Hochman, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
That is, people (including children) who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for purposes of bag limits.

— Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Definition of harvesting

Verb

The employees allege that Meta used internal AI systems, activity data, AI-token-usage dashboards and algorithmically assisted performance information when selecting people for layoffs.

— Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Hiring managers would spend more than 23 hours per job posting to make sure each candidate has the minimum requirements before selecting candidates to interview.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of selecting

Verb

Even when the play returns to the familiar rhythm of Shaw provoking Dreyfuss and Scheider stepping in to restore peace, the performances keep the interactions engaging.

— Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
As a founder of the San Isidro Movement, Otero Alcántara used performance art to challenge the Cuban government, repeatedly provoking authorities through works involving the national flag, public demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of provoking

Verb

While nibbling deer and pesky rodents might require one approach, something else, like snakes, will require another.

— Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 July 2026
Other snaps saw the Selena actress lounging in silk pajamas, celebrating her kids' graduations, eating a huge croissant, nibbling on a chocolate bar in bed, and posing for a selfie on a couch.

— Christina Perrier, InStyle, 26 June 2026

Definition of nibbling

Verb

Brennan was previously convicted of second-degree murder with a deadly weapon after stabbing her 76-year-old mother to death with a butcher knife in Hollywood in 2014, according to a probable cause affidavit.

— Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Sanders admitted to stabbing her sons to death in February 2018.

— Mike Toole, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of stabbing

Noun

Cohen said yielding ground to Iran would be difficult for the president, even if the conflict keeps gasoline prices elevated and poses problems for Republicans in November’s midterm elections.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
The Markham City Council on Wednesday approved a measure to ask voters in the November election whether the city should take over the city's parks, a push some residents are already working towards.

— Jermont Terry, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of election

Verb

The ambition is to make Wyndham the starting point for travel planning rather than simply the place consumers visit after choosing their destination, event or flight.

— Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
The piece suggests that the contest over which state votes first in 2028 is mostly about bragging rights, modest economic benefits and media visibility for local politicians and pundits, rather than a truly decisive factor in choosing the nominee.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of choosing

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pickets

picking

picking at

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Picking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of picking

noun

verb

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