clock (up)

verb

Definition of clock (up)next
chiefly British
as in to achieve
to obtain (as a goal) through effort among British actors he holds the distinction of having clocked up the most performances of Hamlet on the London stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clock (up)
  1. achieve
  2. win
  3. attain
  4. gain
  5. make
Verb
  • Sometimes a production design choice can achieve what a close-up or a line of dialogue cannot.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 24 July 2026
  • Thus, in this novel, the Vanstone sisters are constantly prevented from achieving their ultimate goals of domesticity, through no faults of their own.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026
Definition of achieve
Verb
  • Even if Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki relies on KU’s run game, at a certain point Cole Ballard or Isaiah Marshall (depending on who is starting) will have to throw the ball and win Kansas games.
    — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • Part of ‘The Invincibles’ Baresi was part of the Italy squad that won the 1982 World Cup and captained the team to the 1994 final, which ended in a narrow penalty shootout loss to Brazil, with Baresi among the players who failed to score.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Definition of win
Verb
  • But while the landmark ruling reopens the path to citizenship for thousands worldwide, attaining it may be a different story.
    — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 29 July 2026
  • In Buddhism, bodhicitta is, essentially, a desire to attain enlightenment in order to free all beings from suffering.
    — Goth Shakira, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of attain
Verb
  • Her office told me the bill essentially unlocks federal funds to help more neighborhoods gain protection from noise pollution.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 26 July 2026
  • Related movements like slowmaxxing, which encourages a deliberate slowing of routines and meals, have gained traction as a response to productivity culture.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of gain
Verb
  • Purchases allegedly made by Burke under aliases also included cadaver bags, heavy-duty laundry bags, chain saws, a shovel and a fireproof mat, Byers testified.
    — Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 2026
  • At least eight more games will be added to Sunderland’s calendar when UEFA’s draw is made in Nyon on August 28.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of make
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.

Browse Nearby Words

clocks (up)
clock (up)
clock-watcher
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clock (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clock%20%28up%29. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All