PICKING UP Synonyms: 333 Similar and Opposite Words

picking up

verb

present participle of pick up

as in mastering

to acquire complete knowledge, understanding, or skill in he has a knack for picking up a language in a few weeks

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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

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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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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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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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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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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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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

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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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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of picking up Henderson sent several texts to a partner at DTLA about picking up checks for his work in Val Verde, according to messages reviewed by The Times. — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026 Later in the second half, Olise teed up Ousmane Dembele with prodded outside-of-the-boot passes after picking up loose balls in front of the defence. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Especially at Louisville, just making that big jump, picking up full court, just being a dog, being scrappy, getting through screens, just everything like that. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 Reese looked cooked after picking up four quick fouls in the first half, spending way too much time riding the pine. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026 Folks shivering in the freezing cold to deliver our packages, picking up trash to keep our parks clean. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 18 June 2026 These crafts are perfect for putting down your phone and picking up a creative outlet. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2026 Be sure to give your eyes time to adjust and use your phone's camera to scan the sky, as your phone's camera is better at picking up faint auroras than the naked eye. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 4 June 2026 Residents, businesses and organizations are also invited to participate in the department’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline awareness campaign by picking up a 988 yard sign at the county office at 2170 Point Blvd. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking up

Verb

Saldaña has also spoken about the challenge of mastering Sheridan’s dialogue, previously telling PEOPLE that the role helped her confront both her dyslexia and anxiety because of the preparation required.

— Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Saldaña has also spoken about the challenge of mastering Sheridan's dialogue, previously telling People that the role helped her confront both her dyslexia and anxiety because of the preparation required.

— Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of mastering

Verb

Miami businessman Carlos de la Cruz, whose family knew the Fanjuls in Cuba, credited Alfonso and his brothers with assembling investors, buying land in Florida and building a sugar company that grew into the nation’s largest cane sugar producer.

— Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026
Schools on every level are already busy assembling coaches, players and recruits — assessing name, image and likeness potential as well as schedules and logistics — to get a head start.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of assembling

Verb

His mother and brother had been in the process of buying a house in Abruzzo, to live near him, while his niece had planned to apply to study in Italy.

— Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
At a base level, hope extends from buying lottery tickets to rooting for a sports team.

— Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of buying

Verb

Citrini Research’s February note imagined agents lifting output per hour to rates unseen since the 1950s while employment and demand collapse.

— Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The commission was worried that lifting the ban would undo what had been accomplished.

— Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of lifting

Verb

Sharif’s government responded with a crackdown on Khan’s party, arresting its leaders and banning it from contesting the 2024 general election.

— Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Child said the family did not learn until the following day that deputies had initially released Farinacci before arresting him after investigators developed additional evidence.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of arresting

Verb

However, Daniel Palencia will pitch at Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday and could be activated soon, resuming his closer role.

— Greg Jewett, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Long-term momentum has also shifted positive per the monthly MACD, suggesting the broader uptrend is resuming after a prolonged corrective phase.

— Katie Stockton, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of resuming

Verb

Three-year programs typically work by reducing the credit requirement from 120 down to 90 or 100, largely by trimming general education requirements, open electives, and the room for a double major or a semester abroad.

— Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
And trimming too much of this plant can make the tree appear stunted or uneven.

— Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 July 2026