one-up

verb

Definition of one-upnext
as in to outdo

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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 one-up The smartest thing The Pitt did in its second season was not try to one-up its first. — Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026 Overall, this is a rather fascinating deal between division rivals attempting to one-up one another in the Atlantic. — James Mirtle, New York Times, 1 July 2026 After signing a top-five class last cycle, Freeman and the Irish are looking to one-up their efforts, currently holding the silver medal spot in 2027. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 Season one’s twist that Sugar is an alien recontextualized the entire series, and while there’s a couple cool twists in season two, the writers didn’t try to one-up themselves to that degree. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for one-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-up
  1. outdo
  2. outrun
  3. outpace
  4. better
  5. outrace
  6. outshine
  7. surpass
  8. transcend
Verb
  • These local governments’ efforts to outdo one another in carrying out Beijing’s strategy yielded widespread overcapacity and huge amounts of waste.
    — Scott Singer, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Not to be outdone, the 49ers missed a field goal on the ensuing drive, then turned the ball over on their next two possessions.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of outdo
Verb
  • Like Jonah, Jay confronts the possibility that divine will, fate, or whatever governs the universe cannot be outrun.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Musk kept outrunning the movie with his controversial behavior.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of outrun
Verb
  • The company outpaced analyst estimates and raised its full-year forecast.
    — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Housing, health care, education, caregiving, and everyday costs have outpaced wage growth for decades, leaving households with less room to save.
    — Steven John, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of outpace
Verb
  • Thompson continued to make his case that years in Congress give him the experience and influence needed to better the district.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • His hopes for The Situation is to better the experience of other disadvantaged creatives climbing the ranks today.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of better
Verb
  • Chambliss hits Alexander in stride, allowing the speedy receiver to outrace pursuit to the end zone.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Navarro outraced the defense to a through ball played ahead by Paxten Aaronson and beat goalkeeper Drake Callender one on one from near the penalty spot to give the Rapids a 1-0 lead.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Definition of outrace
Verb
  • If Henderson can outshine the bigger names, the Brewers could be OK.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The immense gravity of these cosmic titans causes the surrounding gas and dust to glow brightly, meaning that AGNs can outshine the combined light of every star in the galaxies that house them.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of outshine
Verb
  • In April, the Dells became the first donors to surpass $1 billion in lifetime giving to the University of Texas at Austin.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Released late last year, the short by writer-director Martin Hemingway-Moseley has surpassed 600k views on YouTube, maintained a 99% approval rating and has a strong following across social platforms.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of surpass
Verb
  • This weekend is also Howard University’s Homecoming, an event that transcends campus with free concerts, including the fabled Yardfest, and plenty of unofficial parties around the city.
    — Adele Chapin, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Despite differences in language and cultural background, the performance demonstrated music’s power to transcend those boundaries.
    — Billboard China, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of transcend

Browse Nearby Words

one-twos
one-up
one-upped
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“One-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-up. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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