upgrade 1 of 2

noun

ˈəp-ˌgrād How to pronounce upgrade (audio)
Definition of upgradenext
1
as in hill
an upward slope had to walk our bicycle on the upgrades on our ride through the hills

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promotion
a raising or a state of being raised to a higher rank or position received an upgrade to lieutenant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slope
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon there's a steep upgrade to some of the hills on that route

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

upgrade

2 of 2

verb

ˈəp-ˌgrād How to pronounce upgrade (audio)
1
as in to promote
to move higher in rank or position upgraded them to first class

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to improve
to make better that restaurant had better upgrade its service—and fast—if it wants to stay in business

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 upgrade
Noun
The spending is drawing attention because the two-lane bowling alley has long sparked debate whenever taxpayer money is linked to upgrades. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Whenever possible, leaders should test workflows, involve frontline employees in the evaluation process and consider the full lifecycle cost of implementation, integration, support, upgrades and maintenance. — Paul Toomey, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
Following the results, analysts at Bank of America upgraded shares to neutral from an underperform rating on accelerating AI growth, but warned of limited upside ahead. — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 To keep hope and Slough alive, the Saints upgraded at running back with Etienne, drafted Tyson and brought in Fant. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upgrade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upgrade
  1. hill
  2. promotion
  3. slope
  4. promote
  5. improve
  6. inclination
  7. advancement
  8. incline
Noun
  • Instead, he’s spent August anxiously watching the orange skies from his house in the northern Nevada hills through two consecutive and adjacent wild-land fires, the Bug and Hawk Fires.
    — Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
  • He was filled with ambition to see more of the country, write a spy thriller and literally climb more hills.
    — Andrea Javor, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of hill
Noun
  • This shift means emotional intelligence (EI) is no longer just for promotions but is becoming an essential entry requirement, as AI handles technical tasks.
    — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • DyAnnah Butler’s promotion from diverse learning coordinator at the high school’s Washington campus to assistant principal at the district’s Alternative Optional Education Center (AOEC) was also unanimously approved by the board.
    — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of promotion
Noun
  • Riders go down a steep slope on large inner tubes before hitting a small bump to slow down and finally stopping on a turf patch.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Sabrina Blanchard and Luca Matteucci/AFP/Getty The Hindu Kush Himalayan region is warming rapidly, driving major changes in glaciers, snow cover, permafrost and mountain slopes, according to climate scientists.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of slope
Verb
  • When applied to the scalp, certain peptides can send signals that promote follicle function, extend the growth phase of the hair cycle, and strengthen the tissue surrounding the follicle.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Trump has also promoted the destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities and navy, and the reduction in missile and drone capabilities, as measures of success.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of promote
Verb
  • Chelsea, despite missing out on a late move for Lamine Camara, and Tottenham have improved considerably, but that is more a reflection of previous dysfunction — and a lighter schedule — than inspired recruitment.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Kia's base model can feel a bit barebones, but upper trims feature plenty of creature comforts and tech enhancements that improve its driving and ownership experience.
    — Keith Laing, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of improve
Noun
  • The film’s procedural aspect ticks along just fine, holding the attention without subverting expectations, and carried by actors who, much like the detectives in this case, are ultra-capable professionals with no inclination to go rogue on us.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Collectively, that inclination could lead to bills soaring ever higher.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of inclination
Noun
  • One specific area that is actively being explored is the potential of using bacteriophages, which are originally viral in nature, in conjunction with advancements in AI to help detect, track and destroy resistant bacteria forms.
    — Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The advanced weapon features AV’s 20kW-class LOCUST LWS integrated on the General Motors Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) platform–a significant advancement in mobile, frontline C-UAS capabilities.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of advancement
Noun
  • The imposing gate and incline signal that privacy is one of the adults-only resort’s strongest assets, attracting high-profile guests like Katy Perry and Sir Paul McCartney.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Pro version utilizes dual 250-W all-wheel-drive hubs to generate the torque to climb an impressive 15% hill incline.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of incline

Browse Nearby Words

up-front
upgrade
upgraded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upgrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upgrade. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All