stack up

verb

stacked up; stacking up; stacks up

intransitive verb

1

: to add up : total

2

: measure up, compare

—usually used with against

Synonyms

• approach
• approximate
• compare (with)
• measure up (to)

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

Calipari then talked about this year’s KU squad and how his Hogs stack up. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025

Okay, so how do these prebiotic drinks stack up against diet sodas, which contain 0 grams of sugar? —Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 Mar. 2025

Murder charges stack up against Heuermann The former New York architect was arrested in July 2023 in connection with the murder of Megan Waterman, 22; Melissa Barthelemy, 24; and Amber Costello, 27. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025

McTavish has been the Ducks’ leading scorer since Jan. 6, stacking up 21 points in 24 outings after starting the year with 16 points in 33 appearances. —Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 9 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stack up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

stack up

verb

: measure up sense 2, compare

see how you stack up against the champion