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

Dillon has been fighting uphill since crashes ended his first two races, beginning with the 2026 Daytona 500. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

And just that, seeing tearstains on my father’s cheeks, was like seeing water run uphill. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026

Noun

There’s a decent amount of uphill and downhill. — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 18 June 2026

But too often, getting change into a medical school curriculum is like pushing a stone uphill. — Dr. Marschall Runge, Forbes.com, 1 May 2026

Adjective

This new job might be an uphill journey in more ways than one. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026

Drainages are natural low-lying areas of land that can gather hot air and smoke and then generate intense drafts that drive a fire uphill with dangerous speeds. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 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