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

How does the output of 16 decisions stack up against previous terms? —Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 10 May 2024

Behind the scenes, however, complaints were stacking up about Knuth’s treatment of women in the workplace. —Kenny Jacoby, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stack up

verb

: measure up sense 2, compare

see how you stack up against the champion