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.
Pick from sizes 5 to 11, just know that many shoppers suggest sizing up to the nearest half-size for an optimal fit. Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 1 May 2025 Much more intriguingly, the researchers also found that the seismic songs differed depending on the males’ morphology, allowing the females to accurately size up the males from far away. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025 As the media and entertainment business has sized up the potential of AI, a sensitive area for unions and the creative community, Runway has attained a notable profile. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2025 When sizing up Costco and Walmart’s operations, the scale disparity is evident. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 28 Mar. 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 21 May. 2025.

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