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

When those denials stack up, clinics risk closing programs or closing entirely Adding to the chaos is the fact that insurers now use their own AI models to reject claims—models that providers often can’t inspect. —Sally Ragab, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Here's how Xfinity's plans, prices and offerings stack up against AT&T's offerings, and the pros and cons of each provider. —Kara McGinley, USA Today, 25 June 2025

See how the Sony ULT Field 3 stacks up against other Sony speakers. —Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 25 June 2025

So how do the militaries of Iran and Israel stack up against each other? —Christopher Bodeen, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 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