size up

verb

sized up; sizing up; sizes up

transitive verb

: to form a judgment of
size up the situation

Examples of size up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Shoppers encourage sizing up for more coverage on your backside. Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 25 July 2025 However, many retailers offer sizes up to California king. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2025 With support for multiple SSD sizes up to 8TB of capacity, the travel-ready design is an easy way to expand storage without paying the high SSD prices Apple charges. Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 In the backstage area where the presenters are rehearsing their teleprompter readings, Julissa Bermudez, a former host of 106 & Park, sizes up his outfit. Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for size up

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of size up was in 1884

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Size up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/size%20up. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on size up

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!