1
as in to master
to acquire complete knowledge, understanding, or skill in
he has a knack for picking up a language in a few weeks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to collect
to bring together in one body or place
pick up all of your things because we have to be off this beach before dark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to buy
to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for
could you pick up some milk at the store?
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to gain
to gradually increase in
the boat was just picking up speed when it was rammed by another boat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position
pick up your feet while I vacuum in front of the sofa
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to arrest
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
police picked up the fugitive when she went out to buy food
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to clean house
to make a place neat and orderly by removing extraneous stuff
I thought you said you had picked up, so why are these things still lying around the rec room?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in to resume
to begin again or return to after an interruption
after the protestors were removed from the auditorium, the speaker picked up his lecture right where he had left off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in to trim
to make neat
the boy's bedroom looked like it hadn't been picked up in quite a while
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pick up
Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
After the snow tapers off in the afternoon, an arctic cold front will move in, with winds picking up.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Feb. 2026
Many spots in the Carolinas and even Atlanta picked up more snow during January than Salt Lake City did.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Maye, meanwhile, picked up an injury to his right (throwing) shoulder during the AFC Championship Game, which limited him in practice last week.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pick up
Verb
Brown said her father picked up instruments as a child and built a musical identity that later translated into broadcasting.
—Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
After the snow tapers off in the afternoon, an arctic cold front will move in, with winds picking up.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Feb. 2026
Many spots in the Carolinas and even Atlanta picked up more snow during January than Salt Lake City did.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Maye, meanwhile, picked up an injury to his right (throwing) shoulder during the AFC Championship Game, which limited him in practice last week.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pick up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pick up
Verb
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Some chefs dedicate themselves to tasting menus of one-bite intricacies, with every microgreen tweezered into place and every sauce drizzled just so; others master the art of deep-frying turkeys.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
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The bulk of the film features Bella, finally in vampire form, mastering her gift of shielding.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.—
Staff Reports,
The Providence Journal,
8 Feb. 2026
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Individuals, nonprofits and local businesses collect bags of food, baby formula, diapers and other items and deliver them to people too scared to leave their homes.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Luckily, this look can also be achieved without buying anything new.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
2 Feb. 2026
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These vehicles, and potentially additional vehicles sold through this dealership, present a significant risk to innocent purchasers, who may unknowingly buy vehicles subject to seizure and forfeiture, resulting in both the loss of the vehicle and associated funds due to their status as contraband.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In recent years the genre has gained huge global fandom as more groups – like Blackpink and Twice – broke into the US charts, went on world tours, and collaborated with big American artists.—
Gawon Bae,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
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Then, later, more than 1,000 fans descended on Old Trafford itself, with hundreds gaining access to the stadium and getting onto the pitch, eventually causing the match, which was due to be aired live on Sky Sports, to be postponed.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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OpenAI is reportedly eyeing a valuation at over $800 billion, and Google parent Alphabet has seen its stock soar over 60% in the past year, lifting its market cap to $4 trillion.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
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The couple who followed them—two shirtless men, around the same height, alternately lifting each other up and rolling over each other with playful, affectionate aggression—struck me as equally political, suggesting not just what was banned but what was possible.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Months later, police obtained the criminal warrants to arrest the suspect at his residence.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
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Lovely was arrested in connection with the stabbing and is also being treated at Atrium Hospital.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Train traffic was halted overnight at the request of police and resumed Thursday morning, the railway said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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Melinda's family contacted the Madison County Sheriff’s Office in 2004 to resume the search.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hachimura helped the Lakers stay the course after their lead was trimmed to two points with 27 seconds left.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Officials say the goats will practically climb over each other to reach them, turning bush-trimming into a competitive sport.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pick up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pick%20up. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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