Definitions

pick up on

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ascertain v.
discover v.
distinguish v.
ferret out v.
listen v.
locate v.
look out v.
note v.
notice v.
observe v.
remark v.
sympathize v.
watch v.
witness v.

VERB

ascertain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

confirm determine divine double-check find out verify

STRONG

check dig discover establish eye eyeball fix identify learn peg read see settle size tell

WEAK

catch on check out check up on get down cold get down pat get hold of get it down get the hang of learn the ropes make certain make sure pick up size up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disprove invalidate

STRONG

aid assist confuse destroy help ignore look away miss misunderstand neglect overlook unsettle

VERB

discover

Synonyms

STRONGEST

catch come upon design detect determine devise disclose explore hear identify invent learn locate notice observe realize recognize reveal see spot unearth

STRONG

ascertain conceive contrive debunk discern distinguish elicit espy glimpse originate perceive pioneer sense

WEAK

bring to light come across dig up ferret out get wind of get wise to light upon look up nose out smoke out think of turn up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

conceal hide ignore lose miss misunderstand neglect overlook

STRONG

destroy

WEAK

pass by

VERB

distinguish

Synonyms

STRONGEST

detect discover discriminate know notice perceive read recognize see

STRONG

beam catch descry dig eye eyeball flash focus mark note observe remark spot spy tell view

WEAK

get a load of get an eyeful make out pick out take in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignore misinterpret miss misunderstand neglect overlook pass by

VERB

ferret out

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ascertain bring to light drive out get at sniff out uncover unearth

WEAK

be on to chase chase down determine dig out dig up disclose discover elicit extract follow hunt hunt down learn nose out penetrate pierce probe pry pursue quest root out scout out search out seek smell out smoke out trace track down trail worm out

VERB

listen

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accept admit attend get observe take notice tune in

STRONG

adopt audit auscultate catch concentrate eavesdrop entertain hark harken hearken mind monitor obey overhear receive welcome

WEAK

auscult be all ears be attentive get a load of give an audience to give attention give heed to hang on words hear out hear tell lend an ear prick up ears take advice take into consideration take under advisement tune in on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

deny dispute ignore miss refuse reject

STRONG

disobey disregard forget neglect turn away

WEAK

speak talk

VERB

locate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

detect discover establish pinpoint spot station strike uncover unearth

STRONG

determine hook place position read

WEAK

come across come upon ferret out get at happen upon hit upon lay one's hands on light upon meet with pin down search out smell out smoke out stumble on track down trip over zero in on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

lose miss overlook pass by

STRONG

displace

WEAK

depart leave move

VERB

look out

Synonyms

WEAK

be alert be careful be on guard beware check out have a care heads up hearken keep an eye out keep tabs listen mind notice pay attention peg scope shotgun size up spot spy watch out

Antonyms

WEAK

disregard ignore neglect

VERB

note

Synonyms

STRONGEST

indicate mention notice remark see view write

STRONG

catch clock denote descry designate dig discern discover distinguish document enter heed mark record register spot transcribe

WEAK

get a load of get an eyeful jot down put down set down take in write down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignore neglect overlook

STRONG

disregard erase lose miss misunderstand

VERB

notice

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acknowledge catch detect discern look at note recognize regard see spot

STRONG

advert allude clock descry dig distinguish espy heed mark mind refer remark

WEAK

flash on get a load of make out take in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disregard ignore miss misunderstand neglect overlook

STRONG

hold back

VERB

observe

Synonyms

STRONGEST

detect discover examine inspect look at mark monitor note pay attention to recognize regard scrutinize study view watch witness

STRONG

beam behold catch contemplate dig discern distinguish espy flash mind perceive read spot spy survey

WEAK

eagle-eye eyeball get a load of get an eyeful of keep an eye on lamp make out take in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

forget ignore miss neglect overlook pass by

STRONG

disregard

VERB

remark

Synonyms

STRONGEST

declare mention observe utter

STRONG

animadvert behold catch commentate crack descry espy heed mark note perceive reflect regard say see speak spot state wisecrack

WEAK

make out mouth off pass comment take note take notice

Antonyms

STRONG

ask disregard ignore miss misunderstand neglect overlook question

WEAK

hold back suppress

VERB

sympathize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

commiserate comprehend

STRONG

ache agree appreciate comfort compassionate condole love pity understand

WEAK

be in accord be in sympathy be kind to be there for be understanding bleed for emphathize feel heart go out to go along with grieve with have compassion identify with offer consolation relate to share another's sorrow show kindliness show mercy show tenderness side with tune in

Antonyms

STRONG

scorn

WEAK

disapprove disregard ignore

VERB

watch

Synonyms

STRONGEST

attend guard protect take care of wait

STRONG

mind oversee patrol police superintend tend watch over

WEAK

be on alert be on the lookout be vigilant be wary be watchful care for keep an eye on keep eyes open keep eyes peeled keep watch over look after look out ride shotgun for take heed

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignore neglect

WEAK

harm hurt overlook pass by

VERB

witness

Synonyms

STRONGEST

attend mark note notice see watch

STRONG

behold eyeball perceive pipe read sight spot spy view

WEAK

be a witness be on hand be on the scene be present flash on get a load of look on take in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignore neglect overlook

WEAK

deny participate refute

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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pick up on

More broadly, as a gauge of future readiness, we can only pick up on so much.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026

"These things are being designed for virality, and then of course the algorithms pick up on them," said Farid, from GetReal Security.

From Barron's ● Apr. 28, 2026

Elita says health visitors could "pick up on so much more" if families in England had the same number of visits as those in Scotland.

From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2026

But beyond inherent nature, Citadel said it’s starting to pick up on fatigue among retail investors, which could point to something else: that the stock-market bottom is in.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 9, 2026

Was she hoping they’d pick up on her clues?

From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett

pick up on

Example Sentences

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