handpicked 1 of 2

adjective

as in selected
singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking the senator's handpicked campaign staff

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

handpicked

2 of 2

verb

past tense of handpick
as in picked
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities handpicked what she considered to be the cutest kitten from the litter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of handpicked
Adjective
The county faced DeSantis’ wrath after local officials criticized his pro-development legislation and voters rejected his handpicked candidates at the ballot box in November 2024. — Liv Coleman, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026 Trump cranks heat on Warsh Friday’s comments show Trump resuming his pressure campaign against the Fed, which had eased since the appointment of Warsh, his handpicked successor to Jerome Powell. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026 His handpicked successor, Miguel Díaz-Canel, read out a handwritten message Castro signed. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 The judge ruled that Kennedy’s handpicked advisors were appointed improperly. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 18 June 2026 The strategy may bring poor short-term optics for Schumer and give Republicans and Democratic primary opponents something to attack his handpicked candidates on. — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026 Yet the handpicked chair of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has downplayed the importance of the vaccine for measles, as well as for polio and other highly contagious, deadly diseases. — Jerome Adams, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026 Al Olszewski, a former state senator who is running for Zinke's seat, accused both Daines and Zinke of betraying the people of Montana and urged voters to reject their handpicked successors. — Matthew Brown The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026 Nance proposed bringing the story of rampant fraud to a handpicked journalist, who would interview a suspect cooperating with police, a retailer and someone whose identity had been stolen for the scam. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handpicked
  1. selected
  2. picked
  3. select
  4. favorite
  5. preferred
Adjective
  • In selected circumstances, private ownership can provide the time, capital and operating flexibility needed to reposition the business away from quarterly market pressure.
    — Chris Russo, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the first stage can handle different solid rocket motors for pre-selected range, speed, and performance profiles, as well as different booster types and other modular components.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of selected
Verb
  • The property later passed through several notable hands, including Creative Artists Agency (CAA) co-chairman Kevin Huvane and filmmaker Roberto Sneider, before Channing Tatum picked it up for $6 million in 2015, according to Variety.
    — Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Kansas was picked to finish fifth in the Big 12 preseason poll; the highest finish of the Schneider era was fifth place in 2021-22.
    — PJ Green October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of picked
Adjective
  • Doesn't expire Up to 50% off The TJ Maxx clearance section is one of the best ways to snag a deal at the retailer, with up to 50% off select styles.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Available now at Asos and select Adidas retailers, the latest collaboration revisits one of the German sportswear company’s most recognizable silhouettes, this time through a distinctly autumnal lens.
    — Camila Quimper, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of select
Adjective
  • Cherry Check Electric Kettle This MacKenzie-Childs electric kettle is sure to be your new favorite kitchen piece.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2026
  • At the finale, models walked down with boxes for audiences to cast votes for their favorite look.
    — Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of favorite
Adjective
  • Wall Street will also get several big economic updates next week, including the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation.
    — Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Each goalie has their own preferred tricks to get their mind right when needed.
    — Jesse Granger, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of preferred

Browse Nearby Words

handpick
handpicked
handpicking
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handpicked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handpicked. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All