uphill

1 of 3

adverb

up·​hill ˈəp-ˈhil 

1

: upward on a hill or incline

2

: against difficulties

seemed to be talking uphill

—Willa Cather

uphill

2 of 3

noun

up·​hill ˈəp-ˌhil 

: rising ground : ascent

uphill

3 of 3

adjective

up·​hill ˈəp-ˌhil 

1

: situated on elevated ground

2

a

: going up : ascending

b

: being the higher one or part especially of a set

specifically : being nearer the top of an incline

3

: difficult, laborious

Synonyms

Noun

• acclivity
• ascent
• hill
• rise
• upgrade
• uprise

Adjective

• arduous
• Augean
• backbreaking
• challenging
• demanding
• difficult
• effortful
• exacting
• formidable
• grueling
• gruelling
• hard
• heavy
• hellacious
• herculean
• killer
• laborious
• moiling
• murderous
• pick-and-shovel
• rigorous
• rough
• rugged
• severe
• stiff
• strenuous
• sweaty
• tall
• testing
• toilsome
• tough

Examples of uphill in a Sentence

Adverb

It is easier to ride a bicycle downhill than uphill.

Noun

no matter where you go bicycle touring, the uphills always seem to outnumber the downhills

Adjective

It has been an uphill battle for her to get an education.

an uphill battle to eradicate poverty in an area of the state that has never known anything else

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

The new ride will send thrill-seekers down a three-story first drop, then propel them uphill through an identical side-by-side race course of enclosed and open tubes and 180-degree high-bank turns before hitting a final straightaway drop to the finish line pool below. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024

Granted, air resistance is a negligible factor when cycling uphill, which is why experienced bicyclists will try to double their power output/speed during climbs. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 25 Sep. 2024

Noun

On the uphill, the 4-Quattro Pro also saw improvements over its predecessor, the 4-Quattro XT. —Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024

But their grueling three-hour journey of uphill bushwhacking in the rain ended in disappointment. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Integrated sensors track wheel speed and incline, adjusting motor output automatically for uphill climbs and downhill descents. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024

Want to know why the 49ers went from Super Bowl contenders to a team facing a steep, uphill climb to make the playoffs? —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing uphill

• uphill battle

Kids Definition

uphill

1 of 2 adverb

up·​hill ˈəp-ˈhil 

1

: in an upward direction

2

: against difficulties

uphill

2 of 2 adjective

up·​hill ˌəp-ˌhil 

1

: being on high ground

2

: going up : ascending

3

: difficult sense 1

an uphill struggle