: a conditioning exercise performed from a supine position by raising the torso to a sitting position and returning to the original position without using the arms or lifting the feet
sat up; sitting up; sits up
1
a
: to rise from a lying to a sitting position
b
: to sit with the back erect
2
: to show interest, alertness, or surprise
sit up and take notice
3
: to stay up after the usual time for going to bed
Examples of sit-up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sara Coughlin, SELF, 4 June 2025
The blue patch was given to kids who scored at or above 85% of the national percentile on the test’s five aspects (endurance run, shuttle run, sit-ups, sit-and-reach and pull-ups or push-ups).
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 4 June 2025
Amy Virshup, Vulture, 14 May 2025
The matter was eventually settled, but collectively, the world sat up and took notice.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sit-up
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Noun
These features give you more position options for moves like Russian twists, skull crushers, and sit-ups.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 4 June 2025
The blue patch was given to kids who scored at or above 85% of the national percentile on the test’s five aspects (endurance run, shuttle run, sit-ups, sit-and-reach and pull-ups or push-ups).
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 4 June 2025
Verb
But at the sound of Boris’s accent, Magenta, who was born in Soviet Georgia, sits up and starts questioning him rapid-fire.
—Amy Virshup, Vulture, 14 May 2025
The matter was eventually settled, but collectively, the world sat up and took notice.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sit-up
Cite this Entry
“Sit-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sit-up. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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