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

• hill
• incline

Adjective

• difficult
• challenging
• tough
• hard
• rigorous
• demanding
• formidable

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

Spreading itself further uphill in the opposite direction, Lehigh University owes its very existence to Sayre’s instrumental development efforts. —John Oseid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

Reagan Brown said his parents, in their 80s, managed to escape uphill as water inundated their home in the town of Hunt. —Jim Vertuno, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025

Noun

Like any outdoor sport, starting slow on low-risk, low-consequence roads and trails is best for getting to know your vehicle and practicing essentials like tire placement, navigating blind corners, and dealing with steep uphill and downhill roads. —R. Scott Rappold, Denver Post, 4 July 2025

Overall, its versatile geometry, persistence on uphills, and speed on downhills won our hearts. —The Editors, Outside Online, 26 June 2025

Adjective

But in today’s environment—where speed, scale, and geopolitical muscle set the tone—both camps face an uphill climb. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 24 July 2025

When asked on the call about how GM aims to do that when Tesla is facing the same uphill climb, GM CFO Paul Jacobson said the company's advantage lies in the diversity of its lineup across gas and electric vehicles, as EV demand fluctuates. —Ali McCadden, CNBC, 22 July 2025

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

Rhymes for uphill

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill

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