measure up (to)

Definition of measure up (to)next
as in to compare (with)
to come near or nearer to in character or quality he always worried about measuring up to his older brother

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
See the Dictionary Definition 

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for measure up (to)
Verb
  • Fluffy and often unruly, most sedges don't approximate the look of a traditional lawn.
    Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The band sounds a little like the Police approximating Weather Report, but Parker sounds much like the very guitarist who would join Tortoise and build the ETA IVTet—his tone incisive and notes restrained, his choices forever relating to the rhythm.
    Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Yet its release may reflect a bid by European officials to seize upon a hope that critics have argued has long been their sole strategy to defeat Russia in Ukraine – to wait for its internal collapse.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
  • While the underlying value is tied to the global spot price of gold, coins are sold at a premium that reflects minting costs, distribution, and dealer margins.
    Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan posted to X Thursday that some parts of the country are starting to approach new all-time records for gas prices.
    Neal Riley, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The human cost of finding and exploiting bugs may approach zero, but fixing them won’t.
    Evan Johnson, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Decked out in matching Route 66 button-up shirts that featured a map of the iconic road, the married couple set out on a road trip to celebrate the centennial.
    Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • In scenes where Yura remembers her childhood and its connection to the beast, the animation takes on a gauzier, more primitive style that matches the film’s more cosmic, oceanic themes.
    Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 1 May 2026
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

Cite this Entry

“Measure up (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/measure%20up%20%28to%29. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

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