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

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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

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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

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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

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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 Air Force is pursuing 13 separate modernization programs, including new engines, communications systems, software and weapons upgrades, with the overall effort currently projected to cost about $21 billion. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026 The Switch 2 is expensive, but the upgrades are worth the price. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 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
  • Pawloski said Amazon seemed to invest fewer resources into improving MTurk at the same time as more data labeling services arrived, causing many turkers to shift to competing platforms.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • This non-greasy, lightweight formula improves scalp health to promote healthy, thicker, and faster hair growth.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of improve
Noun
  • Collectively, that inclination could lead to bills soaring ever higher.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But analysts at the time cautioned that Beijing had neither the capability nor inclination to pressure either side into negotiating.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 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
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Cite this Entry

“Upgrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upgrade. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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