1
as in mastering
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 assembling
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 buying
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 growing (in)
to gradually increase in
the boat was just picking up speed when it was rammed by another boat
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in lifting
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 arresting
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 cleaning 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 resuming
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 trimming
to make neat
the boy's bedroom looked like it hadn't been picked up in quite a while
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of picking up
An army of around 200 volunteers from the church and several charities were making food, picking up trash, guiding guests and MC'ing dance showcases, said Mary Cantrell, who has been a key organizer since 1993.
—
Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025
Central had two players that had 20 or more carries with Martin picking up 129 yards on 22 carries and Taylor with 75 yards on 23 totes.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
Everton are picking up the pieces after a decade of turmoil.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
The group is then seen picking up their belongings and walking away while the woman is on the ground, according to the documents.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2025
None are 100% at picking up cognitive issues.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Firefighters are staffing the fire through the night as winds are picking up again this evening, similar to last night.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Residents and students on their way home and parents picking up children from day care were caught in a tense lockdown that stretched into the night.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
Blackshear fell to the ground before picking up 2 yards, and the ball was placed on the Carolina 9-yard line for the Panthers’ first offensive possession.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 Aug. 2025
Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025
Central had two players that had 20 or more carries with Martin picking up 129 yards on 22 carries and Taylor with 75 yards on 23 totes.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025
Everton are picking up the pieces after a decade of turmoil.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
The group is then seen picking up their belongings and walking away while the woman is on the ground, according to the documents.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2025
None are 100% at picking up cognitive issues.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Firefighters are staffing the fire through the night as winds are picking up again this evening, similar to last night.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Residents and students on their way home and parents picking up children from day care were caught in a tense lockdown that stretched into the night.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
Blackshear fell to the ground before picking up 2 yards, and the ball was placed on the Carolina 9-yard line for the Panthers’ first offensive possession.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking up
Verb
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The first part is about mastering the new language of work.—
Marco Argenti,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
-
From day one, new consultants rotate across industries, geographies, and functions, adapting on the fly and mastering unfamiliar businesses.—
Ruth Umoh,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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According to the project team, the successful installation of the Dewar base provides the foundation for assembling the reactor’s core systems.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
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After assembling the nearly 10-inch towering figure, featuring poseable legs, wings, and head, kids can activate stud shooters under each wing.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Stock it with a portable air filter or air cleaner, and consider buying N95 face masks.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Mississippi shoppers couldn't get enough candy corn last year, buying a whopping 92% more of the sweet treat than the national average, according to the Instacart study.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Phillies strung three consecutive hits off Blake Treinen, with Nick Castellanos lifting a soft double that cut the Dodgers’ lead to one and brought Vesia into the game.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The modernization plan also includes lifting the 1994 ban on closing rural post offices that covers nearly 4,000 locations.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The video concludes with the music, blending heritage and innovation into one visually arresting finale.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
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When the photographer Mary Ellen Mark arrived in New York City, in 1966, one of her strategies for finding arresting images was to attend parades and other large gatherings, seeking out subjects not in the main flow of the action but on the periphery.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bahari Makmur Sejati, requiring the firm to demonstrate remediation before resuming shipments.—
Matt Cannon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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But all of Nexstar’s stations, from Syracuse to Salt Lake City, are resuming Kimmel’s late-night show.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Those savings could come from trimming what the government pays insurers to lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs or by reducing Medicare payments to doctors.—
Christopher Robertson,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
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Best Christmas Tree Decoration Deals Bring some Christmas spirit to every branch by trimming your tree with these decorations.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The line in Swift's song and The Life of a Showgirl's cover art appears to be inspired by a Victorian-era painting that depicts the scene in Hamlet when Ophelia goes crazy and falls into a stream and drowns after learning Hamlet killed her father.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
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Whether kids are learning tricks, competing with friends, or just marveling at the floating string, ZipString delivers the perfect mix of science, wonder and fun.—
Emily Glover,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Picking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking%20up. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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