size up

verb

sized up; sizing up; sizes up

transitive verb

: to form a judgment of
size up the situation

Examples of size up in a Sentence

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.
The Craftsman Adjustable Wrench Set, covers a wide range of hardware sizes up to 1.5 inches. Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2025 Luxury shoppers might want to make fashion purchases a size up at Lane Crawford, where Rosewood’s Buttery Patisserie has a pop-up. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 28 June 2025 Amazon shoppers are using a genius travel hack to squeeze more items into their luggage and avoid sizing up their carry-ons. Nicol Natale, People.com, 9 June 2025 Zillions of people visit the plaza every year, seeing how their own hands and feet size up to those of the legends on display there. Corky Carroll, Oc Register, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for size up

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of size up was in 1884

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Size up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/size%20up. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on size up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!