racking up

Definition of racking upnext
present participle of rack up
1
as in scoring
to gain (as points or runs in a game) as credit towards one's total number of points having racked up a huge number of points in the short program, the figure skater would have to have a disastrous long program in order to miss out on a medal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of racking up Strictly within the realm of football, Kelce is one of the most recognizable athletes in the country’s most-popular sport after racking up 11 selections to the Pro Bowl and the eighth-most catches (1,080) in NFL history. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026 The safety blossomed during his six seasons with the Steelers, racking up five Pro Bowls and three All-Pros. Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026 Idaho State led 45-30 at halftime, with Bond racking up 11 points. ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026 Kachel said Vank’s signature moment so far with the Plainsmen came in the regular season finale last season, when Vank baffled Western Nebraska Community College with eight innings of shutout ball, scattering three hits while racking up 10 strikeouts. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026 The Bobcats did their damage in the fifth inning, racking up four runs on a series of four hits, capped off with a two-RBI double from outfielder Harley Vestal. Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026 The score was 35-20 at halftime, with Haskins racking up seven points. CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for racking up
Verb
  • Gui Santos put up 18 points and four rebounds, and Gary Payton II continued his strong run of play on the offensive side of the ball by scoring 15 and grabbing six rebounds.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • After the break, Angel City poured on the pressure and delivered the knockout blow, scoring three goals, all in different ways.
    Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Even if one accepts that perfectly reasonable people are happy to live in a bubble with strangers for months in hopes of achieving love, fame or a cash prize, someone inevitably is cast to bring the crazy, er, conversation-sparking personality.
    Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • When learning how to straighten curly hair at home, protecting your hair’s health is just as important as achieving a sleek final look.
    Grace McCarty, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Combined with 66 high school recruits signed during the same period, the Aggies have essentially turned over the roster while winning 19 of 26 games.
    Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Bryce Harper then hit a two-run home run to tie the game, setting up the ninth inning for Venezuela’s dramatic win, when Eugenio Suarez hit what would be a game-winning double to drive in Javier Sanoja for a 3-2 lead.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Liz Breadon, now the City Council president, added at the time that such a mistake could jeopardize an immigrant’s chances of attaining full citizenship.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Oakland’s leaders envision their town attaining similar big-city status.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Beam credited his team’s execution in gaining a split.
    Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Importantly, research in LEO also serves as an essential stepping stone for gaining the knowledge NASA needs to keep its astronauts safe on journeys deeper into the cosmos.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • My mom’s team had at least given me a heftier brochure featuring tasteful photographs of lilacs; this one was literally stapled together, with cartoonish drawings like the ones on airplane safety cards that show your aircraft making a pleasant water landing.
    Amanda Peet, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Psychological readiness is an important factor in safe return to play and reinjury risk, making gradual exposure through both imagery and real-world practice, along with open discussion and validation of fear, essential parts of recovery.
    Ian McMahan, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Racking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/racking%20up. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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