Synonyms of handpicked

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

• selected
• select
• favorite
• preferred
• chosen
• favored
• picked
• elect
• cherry-picked
• of choice
• choice
• first-line
• fashionable
• screened
• exclusive
• culled
• picked over
• winnowed (out)
• weeded (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ordinary
• average
• common
• commonplace
• run-of-the-mill

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

• selected
• picked
• chose
• elected
• named
• took
• preferred
• culled
• designated
• cherry-picked
• tagged
• singled (out)
• opted (for)
• appointed
• nominated
• tapped
• adopted
• accepted
• preselected
• marked
• set
• embraced
• tabbed
• settled (on or upon)
• espoused
• fixed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejected
• refused
• turned down
• declined
• disapproved
• discarded
• repudiated
• spurned
• jettisoned
• negatived
• threw out
• threw away

Example Sentences

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