Synonyms for pick
noun
An implement for picking
pickax, mattock, rock hammer; see tool 1.
A blow with a pointed instrument
peck, nip, dent; see blow 1.
*A choice selection
best, elect, select, cream, upper per cent, top, topnotchers*, aces*; see also best.
verb
To choose
select, pick out, separate; see choose 1.
To gather
pluck, pull, choose; see accumulate 1.
To deprive, especially by pecking or plucking
pluck, strip, defeather, pinfeather, pull off.
To use a pointed instrument
dent, indent, strike; see hit 2.
See pick in Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus II
verb
To make a choice from a number of alternatives.
Also used with out: choose, cull, elect, opt (for), select, single (out). See choiceTo collect ripe crops:
crop, garner, gather, harvest, reap. See collect
phrasal verb pick offTo wound or kill with a firearm:
gun (down), shoot. (Slang) plug. See help
phrasal verb pick onTo scold or find fault with constantly:
carp at, fuss at, nag, peck at. (Informal) henpeck. See praise
phrasal verb pick outTo perceive and fix the identity of, especially with difficulty:
descry, discern, distinguish, make out, spot. See see
phrasal verb pick upTo move (something) to a higher position:
boost, elevate, heave, hoist, lift, raise, rear2, take up, uphold, uplift, upraise, uprear. See riseTo collect (something) bit by bit:
cull, extract, garner, gather, glean. See collect- (Informal)
To come into possession of:
acquire, come by, gain, get, obtain, procure, secure, win. (Informal) land. See get - (Informal)
To gain knowledge or mastery of by study:
get, learn, master. See teach - (Informal)
To take into custody as a prisoner:
apprehend, arrest, seize. (Informal) nab. (Slang) bust, collar, pinch, run in. See law To begin or go on after an interruption:
continue, renew, reopen, restart, resume, take up. See continue
noun
The superlative or most preferable part of something:
best, choice, cream, crème de la crème, elite, flower, prize1, top. Idioms: cream of the crop, flower of the flock, pick of the bunch (or crop). See betterOne that is selected:
choice, chosen, elect, select. See choice
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