as in to achieve
to obtain (as a goal) through effort
a stunning performance that notched up a second Academy Award for the actor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notch (up)
Verb
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Judd plays Caden’s mother Mari in the pic, which centers on the unwavering determination of his parents to help their son, against all odds, achieve his dream.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026 -
My neighbor friends, Scott and Dwayne, contribute regularly to the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest civil rights organization, working to achieve LGBTQ equality and influencing legislation on the federal, state and local level.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Given that Trump won North Carolina, the endorsement instantly made Whatley the front-runner for the GOP nomination.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026
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Emerging from the Working group, Penny beat out 2,499 other canines spread across seven different groups containing 204 total breeds to win the coveted prize.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That Ahn centers characters in their 30s, who’ve attained a certain level of maturity but still feel adrift, makes for an inherently more interesting premise.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
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So many chances to attain most people’s dreams of happiness, love, abundance, new ideas and popularity.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In recent years the genre has gained huge global fandom as more groups – like Blackpink and Twice – broke into the US charts, went on world tours, and collaborated with big American artists.—
Gawon Bae,
CNN Money,
2 Feb. 2026
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Then, later, more than 1,000 fans descended on Old Trafford itself, with hundreds gaining access to the stadium and getting onto the pitch, eventually causing the match, which was due to be aired live on Sky Sports, to be postponed.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The evening brought together chefs, civic leaders, business innovators, artists and community advocates to honor renewal, rebuild momentum and remind Angelenos what makes the city extraordinary.—
Michelle Edgar,
Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Tyler Huntley made it as an alternate three years ago after throwing two touchdowns and three interceptions in four starts with the Baltimore Ravens.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Notch (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notch%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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