cherry-pick

verb

cher·​ry-pick ˈcher-ē-ˌpik How to pronounce cherry-pick (audio)
cherry-picked; cherry-picking; cherry-picks
Synonyms of cherry-picknext

intransitive verb

: to select the best or most desirable

transitive verb

: to select as being the best or most desirable
also : to select the best or most desirable from
cherry-picked the art collection

Synonyms of cherry-pick

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Examples of cherry-pick in a Sentence

cherry-picked the spacious corner office for his corporate fief
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Another idea being considered is offering a four-pack of tickets to encourage fans to buy tickets to all the movies at once instead of cherry-picking one or two to watch in theaters and saving the rest for streaming. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026 Sotheby’s has brought major collections such as the Honresfield Library to market, and now the Nelson archive, asking buyers to take the whole story rather than cherry-pick a trophy letter. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The point is that Le Batard has selectively cherry-picked those deals to construct an argument about racial bias that doesn't withstand even modest scrutiny. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2026 Hellebuyck is also not trying to cherry-pick a destination or three using his full no-movement clause, which has become a recent league trend. — James Mirtle, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cherry-pick

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of cherry-pick was in 1965

Browse Nearby Words

cherry pepper
cherry-pick
cherry picker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cherry-pick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cherry-pick. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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