Showing results for picking on. Search instead for Picking+up+ons.

picking on

VERB

nag, provoke

Synonyms

WEAK

badger bait blame bully carp cavil criticize find fault foment get at get to goad hector incite instigate quibble start tease torment

Antonyms

WEAK

compliment praise

VERB

nag

Synonyms

STRONGEST

badger bully get at tease torment

WEAK

bait blame carp cavil criticize find fault foment get to goad hector incite instigate pick at provoke quibble start

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I'd like to commend the briefer on at least picking on one of the men in the cabinet instead of the women," he added.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2025

The ETF market can also be mean, picking on specific people.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2025

“You guys are a bunch of 30-, 40-year-old men picking on kids and stuff — like can you at least help?” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2024

He told the officers they would “regret picking on me because you don’t know who … I am.”

From Seattle Times • Dec. 22, 2023

The two girls were shouting as loudly as the bullies, but what they were saying was, “That is not cool! Stop picking on those kids!” and “Leave my sister alone! Leave her friends alone!”

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix