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 of uphill

Noun

• hill
• incline

Adjective

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

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

Weiss said the infrastructure necessary to move fresh water from the coast back uphill for farmers would be staggeringly expensive, likely adding tens of billons of dollars to the overall cost. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026

Fire moves uphill, so protect your property. —The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

Noun

When a bicyclist right behind me takes a spill on a slow uphill near UCSF Medical Center, my instinct is to dial 911. —Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2026

The Chiefs’ run over the last decade was akin to moving a boulder uphill. —Sam McDowell 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Equally challenging is the five-hour nature trail at Masungi Georeserve in Rizal, which combines uphill climbing, a high-flying ropes course, and a series of hanging bridges in the jungle. —Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026

The first five matches provided some encouraging evidence, but the path to success is an uphill climb. —Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026

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