trade up

verb

traded up; trading up; trades up

intransitive verb

1
: to trade in (something, such as an automobile) for something more expensive or valuable of its kind
2
: to stock or purchase higher-priced items

Examples of trade up 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.
Alphabet Inc shares are currently trading up about 4.6% on the day. Dividend Channel, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 Tesla shares had briefly risen 3.3% on the comments but later pared gains to trade up about 1%. Andrew Mills, USA Today, 20 May 2025 Pandora shares were trading up 2.3% by 1:55 p.m. London time. Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 7 May 2025 Getting an elite talent (Abdul Carter) in that slot and still getting the draft’s next quarterback later (Jaxson Dart at No. 25, after trading up) was seen as a victory for the process. Mike Sando, New York Times, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for trade up

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of trade up was in 1905

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trade up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trade%20up. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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