picked off

past tense of pick off
as in intercepted
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 picked off The interception was Howard’s third of the preseason, after being picked off twice in a 17-0 loss to the New York Jets last weekend. ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 So when Rocky Hill’s Justin Barron picked off three passes, the first against future Hall of Famer Matthew Stafford in the join practice with the Rams, Cowboys fans had a new favorite. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 In the third quarter, safety Alex Cook picked off a pass by Spencer Rattler at the goal line and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2026 These crops have fewer pests, or where needed, they can be picked off or treated with natural insecticides. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 Las Vegas rookies Treydan Stukes, Hezekiah Masses and Jermod McCoy all looked more composed in coverage, and undrafted rookie Devin Lafayette picked off Brett Rypien to secure the win. Sam Warren, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Jones also picked off a pass in Wednesday’s practice, which, despite the Patriots’ run-game issues, ended with consecutive unsuccessful two-minute drills for Philadelphia. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 The Lions drove to the Bengals 33 on the first series before Jordan Battle picked off Altmyer at the 25 after the pass went off the hands of wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 Redshirt freshman Adam Schobel was picked off twice during 11-on-11, including a spectacular play by senior free safety Jacob Fields. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picked off
Verb
  • Once linebacker Zaire Barnes intercepted the Jets’ Cade Klubnik, Winston and Beckham had a chance to blow the lid off the preseason crowd with that deep shot.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Iran hit an oil tanker off Qatar’s coast and fired missiles and drones at Jordan, which were intercepted.
    Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Clark then went back to his golf bag, grabbed another iron, and placed it behind the ball.
    Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The one that has grabbed most of the headlines is its pull back from LIV.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Surveillance cameras near the scene captured footage of the suspect vehicle, but not its license plate.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Her reaction to the Album of the Year snub at the 2018 Grammys was captured in her Miss Americana documentary.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The 6-2 Marshall, a former second-round pick of the Carolina Panthers, hasn’t made big plays in the passing game, but has caught Slowik’s eye in another area.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Noah Tarrant caught both scoring passes, 12 and 63 yards, and finished with five catches for 106 yards.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • While crude oil can be carried via pipeline–perhaps from oil producers in the Persian Gulf to ports on the western side of the Arabian Peninsula–gas can’t, meaning there are no alternative routes to get LNG to Asia if Hormuz is blocked.
    Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Officials are still investigating the exact cause, though preliminary assessments suggest an ice avalanche may have blocked a river upstream in Tibet, triggering the sudden outburst flood.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Picked off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picked%20off. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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