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

Couple that with City’s rapidly rotating midfield four and the defensive issues stack up. —Thom Harris, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

While the actual stock movement will ultimately hinge on how the reported results stack up against market expectations and consensus, grasping these historical trends may enhance trading chances. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

But when these Dolphins need a critical play to be made on third-and-7 to prevent a conversion, who will make it? Take a look at how the Dolphins post-draft defensive depth chart stacks up. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2025

Basically, recruiters can see how a player’s stats stack up based on their schedule’s strength, the competitiveness of their district, and game-specific performances. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 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