measure up
verb
measured up; measuring up; measures up
1
: to have necessary or fitting qualifications
—often used with to
2
: to be the equal (as in ability)
—used with to
Examples of measure up in a Sentence
he always worried about measuring up to his older brother
Recent Examples on the Web
Outside of the wastewater agreement, Carrillo-Trevino’s 2025 agenda aims to address all the ways the city needs to measure up ahead of rapid expansion and population growth.
—
Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Perhaps this is odd to say, given that the exhibition is centered on the production of language—letter-writing—but the language stops there, and Vermeer takes over, challenging the very idea that words can measure up to image-making.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 29 July 2025
While the actual stock movement will largely depend on how the results measure up against consensus estimates and market expectations, recognizing these historical trends can provide an advantage, particularly for traders focused on events.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Even popular alternatives like sourdough or rye usually don’t measure up to whole wheat bread unless they’re made from whole kernels.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for measure up
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Perhaps this is odd to say, given that the exhibition is centered on the production of language—letter-writing—but the language stops there, and Vermeer takes over, challenging the very idea that words can measure up to image-making.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 29 July 2025
While the actual stock movement will largely depend on how the results measure up against consensus estimates and market expectations, recognizing these historical trends can provide an advantage, particularly for traders focused on events.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Even popular alternatives like sourdough or rye usually don’t measure up to whole wheat bread unless they’re made from whole kernels.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for measure up
Cite this Entry
“Measure up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/measure%20up. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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