Showing results for picked on. Search instead for picked+upon.

picked 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.

Under cross examination, however, Kaley talked about feeling neglected, berated and picked on by family members, causing depression and anxiety that had nothing to do with social media.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

I was picked on, so I retreated into the fantasy world of television.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

"He picked on a few boys within that group, befriend us, invited us back out to lunch at his family home and slowly over the years became a sort of father figure to me."

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2024

“I just want to let me make sure everyone understands this, that Georgia is not going to be intimidated. Russia has just decided they picked on the wrong Georgia,” Raffensperger said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2024

It mocked every bully that had ever picked on him.

From "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen