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
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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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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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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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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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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of picking up
But now the money saved for their golden years is being spent picking up out-of-pocket costs their insurance won’t cover.
—
Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
The carton will prevent the eggs from picking up odors or flavors from other foods, and prevent moisture loss.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
The wide-body aircraft market is now picking up steam, said Ron Epstein, aerospace analyst at Bank of America, with orders starting to get handed over faster to customers.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2026
Running back Ryan Walters was just shy of 100 yards picking up 99 on 16 carries.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Nov. 2025
While reflecting on her first performance, Furtado remembered buying the pink dress from a store called Original on Queen West in Toronto, and also picking up some sparkly platform shoes for the monumental moment.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Mitchell Summers rambled for 250 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, including an 80-yard score, while Jack Snyder threw for 147 yards and a TD while picking up 68 yards on the ground.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
With the strong onshore winds picking up as the storm begins tracking north, coastal flooding will also exacerbate any flooding that occurs from heavy rainfall.
—Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for picking up
Verb
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Advocacy isn’t about mastering policy jargon or tracking every bill.—
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But there can also be peace in mastering it.—
Verb
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Whereas Herbert is 0-2 in Chargers postseason games, Maye is making his first postseason appearance for the New England Patriots after assembling a most valuable player-caliber season.—
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To suppress Americans peacefully assembling to protest his policies?—
Verb
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Events like moving to a new neighborhood, buying a new car, changing jobs or even adjusting one’s daily commute can be enough to warrant a review of one’s risks and coverage.—
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Overflowing with furniture and decor to breathe new life into your home and make any room tidier, there are so many helpful pieces worth buying.—
Verb
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In 2024, in first (partial) year in his new no-heavy-lifting sinecure, Lowy pocketed $351,050.—
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With the shot clock running down, Lopez swung the ball back to the other side, with Sanders waiting to retrieve it after lifting from the corner.—
Verb
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The arresting officer’s injuries did not require medical attention, Frasier told the Idaho Statesman by email.—
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The government is also still cracking down on dissent, arresting people for celebrating Maduro’s capture.—
Verb
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Russian military officials have said that the site is ready for resuming the tests, if necessary.—
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Two and three months ago, Wall Street was captivated by another stellar earnings season, a Federal Reserve resuming rate cuts into a steady economy and constant ecstatic new projections for AI spending.—
Verb
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Trailing most of the game, Dallas couldn't get a fourth-quarter stop after trimming the deficit to three points with 10 minutes remaining.—
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That’s in part by trimming the approval process.—
Verb
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Kinnear said the Checkers are still learning to deal with things such as lengthy road trips.—
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Dancing along to educational songs brings you and your kids closer together—and turns learning about their world into a fun game.—
Cite this Entry
“Picking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking%20up. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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