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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

I’ll be deemed as hopelessly antique and asked, why am I picking on some poor kids who are just trying to get paid what they’re worth?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2025

As she recalled picking on her co-star John David Washington in the ways that a sibling would, she couldn’t help but laugh.

From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2024

Zeke remembered the second day of kindergarten when a particularly mean little yak started picking on Daniel.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness