up-tempo

adjective

up-tem·​po ˈəp-ˌtem-(ˌ)pō How to pronounce up-tempo (audio)
: having a fast-moving tempo
up-tempo music
an aggressive up-tempo style of basketball

Examples of up-tempo 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.
Attacks every inch of the field Operating in an up-tempo version of the Air Raid, Mestemaker is a tall, fluid passer who isn’t shy tossing it all over the yard. — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Nelson introduced what is now known as the point forward, and his up-tempo style of offense created a buzz. — John Raby, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 Fenton brought along his up-tempo, no-huddle offense from Los Alamitos, and quarterbacks Ezrah Brown and Reagan Toki were executing it in midseason form. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026 Claxton should benefit tremendously from playing in an up-tempo offense alongside a true point guard in Josh Giddey. — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for up-tempo

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of up-tempo was in 1941

Rhymes for up-tempo

See All Rhymes for up-tempo

Browse Nearby Words

uptear
up-tempo
up the ante
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Up-tempo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up-tempo. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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