1
as in masters
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 assembles
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 buys
to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for
could you pick up some milk at the store?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in grows (in)
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 lifts
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 arrests
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
police picked up the fugitive when she went out to buy food
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in cleans 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 resumes
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 trims
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
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 picks up
This Navfalcon Hidden Camera Detector has earned a permanent spot in my travel bag; this gadget picks up the radio frequency (RF) signals that are emitted by cameras and alerts you when these wireless signals have been detected.
—
Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
This picks up any holding with both an honor and the nine onside, which outweighs the alternative play of finessing the 10.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
Steve Sarkisian’s crew has wins over only San Jose State, UTEP and Sam Houston State, and thus a shocking number of questions as October gets rolling and SEC play picks up.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Just killing time Set some time after the events of the first game, Hades II picks up with the Greek Underworld once again in disarray.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Season 2 picks up after Kimmie marries businessman Horace Bellarie, inheriting a new sense of power that angers her in-laws, Netflix said in its release.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Of course, the FOMC only has a single policy tool, interest rates, so if unemployment rises and inflation picks up, then the FOMC’s decision making may be made more complicated.
—Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
The sequel picks up with Lindsay Lohan returning as Anna and Jamie Lee Curtis as her mom Tess Coleman, 22 years after their first body-swap comedy.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 9 Aug. 2025
The latest installment picks up with Seabrook’s zombie-cheerleader-alien dream team, Zed and Addison, back from a summer road trip and stepping into new roles as camp counselors for two rival monster factions.
—Kaila Garrett, Essence, 5 Aug. 2025
Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
This picks up any holding with both an honor and the nine onside, which outweighs the alternative play of finessing the 10.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
Steve Sarkisian’s crew has wins over only San Jose State, UTEP and Sam Houston State, and thus a shocking number of questions as October gets rolling and SEC play picks up.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Just killing time Set some time after the events of the first game, Hades II picks up with the Greek Underworld once again in disarray.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Season 2 picks up after Kimmie marries businessman Horace Bellarie, inheriting a new sense of power that angers her in-laws, Netflix said in its release.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Of course, the FOMC only has a single policy tool, interest rates, so if unemployment rises and inflation picks up, then the FOMC’s decision making may be made more complicated.
—Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
The sequel picks up with Lindsay Lohan returning as Anna and Jamie Lee Curtis as her mom Tess Coleman, 22 years after their first body-swap comedy.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 9 Aug. 2025
The latest installment picks up with Seabrook’s zombie-cheerleader-alien dream team, Zed and Addison, back from a summer road trip and stepping into new roles as camp counselors for two rival monster factions.
—Kaila Garrett, Essence, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picks up
Verb
-
This storied sandwich is served each year at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia; and many have long tried to replicate the recipe, which seemingly masters the perfect ratio of ingredients for classic egg salad.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Focus is difficult and hardly anyone masters the skill.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The country now assembles reactors in just five to six years, twice as fast as Western nations.—
Brad Plumer,
New York Times,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Those inevitable challenges could influence how Vitello assembles his coaching staff in the coming days and weeks.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Cureate does not warehouse or distribute food products, the company buys purchases the food order and the farmer delivers it to the customer, Bryden said.—
Cristina LaRue,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Trading space for savings In Encinitas, Lovelace rarely buys red meat at the store anymore.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In extremely dense fog, drivers are advised to turn on their hazard lights, pull over into a safe place, and if that’s on the side of the road or hard shoulder—turn off all lights except the hazards, engage the hand brake, and wait until the fog lifts.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Snap beats revenue expectations and lifts guidance.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Police officer Hugo Crussi (Vogrincic) traces the voice to a young preacher, Jonas Flores (Zurita), and arrests him.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even as federal funding resumes, local colleges, businesses and nonprofits are joining county agencies in maintaining relief efforts for as long as Sacramento-area residents need them.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
12 Nov. 2025
-
In a rare move Monday night, the ACC appeared to directly call out Notre Dame in a social media post, comparing the teams’ resumes and advocating for Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes, not Marcus Freeman’s Irish, to be in the top 10 heading into the second installment of rankings on Tuesday.—
Grace Raynor,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As of October 27, the CME FedWatch tool derived from 30-Day Fed Funds futures implies a roughly 98% probability that the Fed trims the policy rate by 25 basis points this week.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Some popular models that may require mid-grade Plus fuel include some Dodge Charger and Jeep Grand Cherokee trims.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Zoë officially takes over Sarah's investigation into Dinah and learns a few key details, including that the gas main had been shut off for years.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Smart Schedule learns your preferred temperatures, responds to your preferences over time, and can provide suggestions—rather than automatic updates—based on your usage patterns.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Picks up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picks%20up. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share