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Synonyms

hand-pick

British  

verb

  1. (tr) to choose or select with great care, as for a special job or purpose

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Now Bovino is expected to hand-pick some of the replacements at ICE field offices, according to Fox News.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2025

He went on to hand-pick Mr Staffieri, who is now the current CEO, saying he was among "the most highly regarded and seasoned" executives in the industry.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2022

Given Kishida's close ties with the finance ministry, he may hand-pick a former top bureaucrat from the institution, though there is no consensus on who could be among strong candidates.

From Reuters • Jun. 14, 2022

He had to hand-pick his own allies, personally banish his enemies within the party and beat the living tar out of the rest at the ballot box in primaries.

From Washington Times • May 19, 2022

I hand-pick my fruit into sacks slung over the shoulder; I use a step-ladder for those I cannot reach.

From The Apple by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.