stack up

verb

stacked up; stacking up; stacks up
Synonyms of stack upnext

intransitive verb

1
: to add up
Cars were beginning to stack up behind the bus.
2
: to be in a particular state or situation
Here's how things stack up today.
3
: measure up, compare
—usually used with against
How does he stack up against the other job candidates?

Synonyms of stack up

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Examples of stack up in a Sentence

those newspapers have been stacking up in the basement since we moved here
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Substantial interest earnings will stack up quickly for savers who open a $100,000 9-month CD account now. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 How quickly the group gels will be critical to how the Knights stack up in the run game and in protecting the quarterback. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026 Then comes November's general elections, where his endorsements will stack up against Democratic nominees and other candidates for all voters – not just Republican voters in primaries. — Emily R. Condon, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Customers are invited to hang out, maybe join in a trivia night, special tasting party or just have fun, sipping wine or craft beer while playing one of the classic board games stacked up on shelves around the room. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stack up

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stack up was in 1896

Rhymes for stack up

See All Rhymes for stack up

Browse Nearby Words

stack the odds in someone's favor
stack up
stackyard
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stack up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stack%20up. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stack up

verb
: measure up sense 2, compare
see how you stack up against the champion
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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