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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Recent Examples of picking off
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
Steph Curry pitched the ball to Draymond Green, who set a screen and immediately tossed it back to Curry while picking off a defender.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Woo cleared the base paths after picking off the runner for the second out of the inning.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Charlisse-Leger Walker followed her lead, picking off a pass and kicking it ahead to Jaquez, who drew a trip to the line.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
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
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
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
Steph Curry pitched the ball to Draymond Green, who set a screen and immediately tossed it back to Curry while picking off a defender.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Woo cleared the base paths after picking off the runner for the second out of the inning.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Charlisse-Leger Walker followed her lead, picking off a pass and kicking it ahead to Jaquez, who drew a trip to the line.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking off
Verb
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The drone can be seen intercepting a low-flying Ka-52, maneuvering towards its port weapon pylon before the footage dramatically cuts.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
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Both sides have been intercepting vessels in tit-for-tat brinkmanship in the run-up to a possible second round of direct peace talks in Pakistan.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Jaguars used their first pick of the NFL draft to land the blocking tight end Friday night, grabbing him in the second round with the 56th selection.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Seahawks stayed put yet again at the end of the second round, grabbing TCU safety Bud Clark with the 64th pick.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The 6-foot-2, 207-pounder has the short-area quickness, yards-after-the catch ability and run-blocking toughness that coach Kyle Shanahan craves.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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To wrap up Day 2, the Dolphins took a pair of wide receivers and an in-line blocking tight end with their three picks in the third round.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Picking off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking%20off. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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