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 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 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 Mondo Duplantis, who was born in Louisiana but competes for his mother’s home country of Sweden, keeps one-upping himself, one centimeter at a time. — Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026 In July 2021, Bronny was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the tender age of 16 — one-upping his superstar dad, who made his SI debut at 17 years old. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 10 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
  • The Slushi has been around for a couple years, and its popularity remains high (perhaps only to be outdone by the brand’s Creami).
    — Melissa Knific, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 July 2026
  • Not to be outdone by Carolina playing with a 14-yr old, Chicago started 13-yr old Elsie Hendershot, just acquired from STL.
    — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of outdo
Verb
  • Tabitha and Jade flee into the tunnels after an earthquake temporarily stuns the monsters, and Jade and his crew race to their vehicles to outrun the monsters that have come to the surface under the cover of this false night.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • By the time the credits roll, Kara is forced to confront the grief she's spent years trying to outrun, Ruthye faces a life-defining choice and the film plants the seeds for the next chapter of the DC Universe.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Definition of outrun
Verb
  • Businesses that aim to solve real problems and have a real impact—not just chase profits—could outpace their competitors.
    — Mikhail Shneyder, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • As a result, demand for AI-capable processors has outpaced production capacity, and prices for components at the chokepoints are spiking.
    — Lucas Laursen, IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 2026
Definition of outpace
Verb
  • Second in Austria marked Verstappen’s best result of the season — bettering his third in Canada.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 29 June 2026
  • Hale, meanwhile, switched parties last year, arguing that running as a Republican will better his chances at beating Moore.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Definition of better
Verb
  • Yapi created the opportunity by outracing Carlos Harvey down the left flank.
    — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 11 Aug. 2025
  • May was replaced by Anthony Banda, who was greeted with another two-run triple by Willy Adames (who had already homered to open the scoring in the second inning) and a run-scoring infield single from Lee, who outraced Banda to first base to punctuate a painfully long inning.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
Definition of outrace
Verb
  • Sadly, the light of the full moon will hide all but the brightest shooting stars around the peak, but there's always a chance that a dramatic fireball could appear to outshine even Venus in the night sky.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 July 2026
  • That limits his position flexibility, which might make his roster spot difficult to hold onto if four other receivers outshine him.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of outshine
Verb
  • Organizers of celebrations months in the making had to adjust or cancel activities entirely as much of the East Coast sweltered under heat that approached and in many cases surpassed triple digits.
    — Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • With the more than 2,000-acre jump in size, the Aspen Acres fire has surpassed the 2012 High Park fire and sits behind the 2018 Spring Creek fire, which consumed 108,045 acres, according to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.
    — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
Definition of surpass
Verb
  • Many have worked and trained alongside each other for years, forming bonds that transcend cultures and languages.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • To his supporters, Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the steadfast, fearless leader who transcended mere politics and inspired devotion.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of transcend

Browse Nearby Words

one-twos
one-up
one-upped
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Cite this Entry

“One-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-up. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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