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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.

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

Without picking on Duckett, who has been successful and is a personable character, he can be used as an example.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2024

Before his confinement in the secret prison and before his teacher and schoolmates began picking on him, Shin hadn’t thought to blame anyone for his birth inside Camp 14.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden