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Definitions

pick up on

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.

Regular people now pick up on current events in a more random fashion.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2026

Cohen: I want to pick up on Henry’s comments about companies’ differentiated success in implementing AI, and Rajiv’s citation of the MIT study indicating that many companies are just spending money without seeing value.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

Amid the evidence, investigators have yet to explain how the pair became radicalized to the point of carrying out such an attack, and why authorities didn’t pick up on it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

Lynsey Addario: I think it’s the empathy that people pick up on.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2025

Dad chose not to pick up on the vibe.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.