picking off

verb

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 The Centurion defense played a big part in things, picking off five Olympian passes. — Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 Gullion has observed such grouse picking off nearly 50 buds per minute. — Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking off
  1. intercepting
  2. grabbing
  3. blocking
Verb
  • Defense played a big part in the victory for the Hawks by intercepting three passes.
    — Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Nonetheless, the costs of intercepting incoming munitions could prove particularly high if targets are engaged over populated areas, with drones, defensive munitions and falling debris all posing risks to people and property on the ground.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of intercepting
Verb
  • Two men bought tickets to enter Vienna's Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) before smashing a display case, grabbing a 200-carat platinum and diamond necklace and walking away, police said Friday.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In the commercial, Good Good co-founder Garrett Clark rushes over to his golf bag and pushes over golfer Alexis Miestowski to keep her from grabbing the Quantum Driver.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of grabbing
Verb
  • Satellite images appear to show the avalanche blocking the river with ice and debris about 20km upstream of the Nepal-Tibet border.
    — Milad Haghani, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Realtor Dell Jeanty in Northern Virginia says that some curtains or drapes may be blocking the natural light that can enhance the visual of your interior to buyers.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of blocking

Browse Nearby Words

picking at
picking off
picking on
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Cite this Entry

“Picking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking%20off. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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