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
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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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4
as in to gain
to gradually increase in
the boat was just picking up speed when it was rammed by another boat
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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
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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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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?
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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
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9
as in to trim
to make neat
the boy's bedroom looked like it hadn't been picked up in quite a while
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pick up
Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Nathan MacKinnon picked up the puck in his own zone and carried it into the offensive end.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
My mother wrapped a coin in paper and threw it out the window for his monkey to pick up.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
As a complement to such moments, and as an opportunity to reflect on what has passed and what is yet to come, consider picking up a new book (or many).
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pick up
Verb
For some next-level savings, pick up this 2-in-1 convertible bench that transforms into a two-person dining set or this daybed that also functions as a chaise lounge and loveseat.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Nathan MacKinnon picked up the puck in his own zone and carried it into the offensive end.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
My mother wrapped a coin in paper and threw it out the window for his monkey to pick up.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
As a complement to such moments, and as an opportunity to reflect on what has passed and what is yet to come, consider picking up a new book (or many).
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pick up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pick up
Verb
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The all-analog recording, pressed in flamenco-red 180-gram vinyl, was mastered and produced by Impex Records, whose LPs have achieved collector status among jazz connoisseurs.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
22 Feb. 2026
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During the recent craft barbecue revival, cooks first mastered their meat-smoking methods then turned to the stuff served alongside.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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During this pivotal stretch TCU collected Quad 1 wins over Iowa State and Oklahoma State and now also own a quality Quad 2 win over the Mountaineers, who now likely need to make a run in the Big 12 Tournament to make the field of 68.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Feb. 2026
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Returning to the surface during Artemis III and Artemis IV, astronauts will capture observations, set up experiments and collect samples from their south pole landing site, the specifics of which remain to be determined.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Of the 63% of international fans who attended the Games, the United States, at 14%, bought the second-most tickets.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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That message has pleased some on the right, who have praised Paramount over its decision to buy The Free Press, cut ties with Stephen Colbert, and bring back one of the president’s favorite film franchises.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With diesel engines remaining popular among Australian ute buyers and hybrids gaining ground, the company appears to be positioning the KP31 at the intersection of both trends.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Recent polling data indicates Republican candidates have gained competitive ground, with conservative commentator Steve Hilton leading the field at 17% support, followed by Democrat Eric Swalwell and Republican Chad Bianco tied at 14%, suggesting the race structure favors neither party decisively.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Needing a spark in their third game in three states in four nights, the Celtics did not get one from their bench, which combined to score just five points before garbage time (plus another 12 after Mazzulla lifted his starters with more than five minutes remaining).—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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Vitello then lifted him in favor of right-hander Tristan Beck, who served up a grand slam to Brice Turang.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The federal lawmakers called on DHS to provide more information on the basis of arresting and deporting DACA recipients.—
Mathew Miranda
February 26,
Sacbee.com,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Gusmane Coulibaly was arrested on Thursday after his picture was circulated on a NYPD tipline for a massive snowball skirmish that happened earlier this week.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But because of the area’s shortage of medical specialists, the New Mexico Human Services Department requested a waiver on his behalf that permitted him to resume practice and continue treating cancer patients as the only oncologist in all of Luna County, a remote rural region.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
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The two sides adjourned after around three hours of talks and resumed the discussions later.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The jersey also includes a jock tag depicting a dove carrying an olive branch, while the Pride’s familiar purple trims the collar, cuffs and player lettering.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
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Cheese quesadillas are sliced into inch-long planks, crusts are trimmed off sandwiches to stave off a potential meltdown, and even grapes are halved.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pick up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pick%20up. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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