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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to gain
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in to trim
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
as in increase
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 pick up
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
The Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks picked up wins earlier in the night to prevent their opponents from taking a 3-0 lead.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Muhammad was especially effective in his wrestling, racking up nine takedowns on 13 attempts and picking up 12:02 of control time.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Officers picked up a child answering to Dylan in the Lykins neighborhood of east Kansas City around 6 p.m., near the intersection of Independence and Drury avenues, according to a KCPD spokesperson.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pick up
Verb
Schoen announced Saturday that the team will not be picking up Neal’s fifth-year option for 2026.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
The Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks picked up wins earlier in the night to prevent their opponents from taking a 3-0 lead.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Muhammad was especially effective in his wrestling, racking up nine takedowns on 13 attempts and picking up 12:02 of control time.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Officers picked up a child answering to Dylan in the Lykins neighborhood of east Kansas City around 6 p.m., near the intersection of Independence and Drury avenues, according to a KCPD spokesperson.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pick up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pick up
Verb
-
There were experiments with clay, pigment and glazing that were unsuccessful but persistence, dedication and desire to master the craft eventually reaped rewards.—
Blue Carreon,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Comments Penn Badgley is revealing the unusual acting technique that he’s mastered after five seasons of You.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Hunter won the Heisman Trophy in 2024 after catching 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense, while collecting 36 tackles and four interceptions on defense.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Healthcare institutions and insurers arguably collect the most sensitive information about you, including IDs, contact details, addresses and medical records.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The ultra cute pack comes with four floral socks, plus for every item bought, the brand gives back a pair to someone in need.—
Brie Schwartz,
Glamour,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Sure, the Bears did a masterful job of fortifying the interior of the offensive line in March, buying themselves flexibility to navigate the draft with eyes scanning in all directions.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
While the 30-year Treasury yield has gained just about 2 basis points so far this year, the spike within a week after Trump announced reciprocal tariffs was over 30 basis points — the benchmark 10-year yield also spiked by 30 basis points.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Nacua speaks glowingly of Adams, with the two starting to gain chemistry with one another at the start of OTAs earlier this week.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The reigning league champion Pride were about 20 minutes away from their second consecutive loss of the season before Marta redirected the tides and Carson Pickett went beast mode to lift the team to a thrilling 3-2 victory.—
Emily Olsen,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Mark Carney won the Canadian election to continue his term as prime minister, Canadian and U.S. news outlets reported late Monday night, closing his victory after President Donald Trump's aggressive rhetoric and tariffs lifted the ruling Liberal Party to a remarkable political comeback.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
He was arrested by the Rockwall Police Department for driving without a license and for not having an operator’s license.—
Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2025
-
When officers arrived on the scene a short time later, the victim and those who saved her were able to identify the suspect, and he was subsequently arrested.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Students at the school are on break this week, and classes are scheduled to resume on April 28, according to the school's academic calendar.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Collections are set to resume on May 5, officials said.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Keep it simple and sweet by wrapping paper into a cone, trimming the excess if desired, and securing it with tape.—
Valerie Fraser Luesse,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Bank of America did trim its forecast to $21 from $22, though that is still roughly 53% above Wednesday’s close.—
Brian Evans,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pick up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pick%20up. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share