uptick

noun

up·​tick ˈəp-ˌtik How to pronounce uptick (audio)
plural upticks
Synonyms of upticknext
1
: an increase, rise, or upward trend
For the professional middle class in particular, an uptick in innovation and a return to faster economic growth would solve many problems, and likely reignite income growth.Don Peck
Any near-term uptick in jobs will probably be small, because there's still plenty to be milked from existing workers.Rana Foroohar
2
finance : a stock market transaction at a price above the last previous transaction in the same security
Hong Kong has long required that stocks can only be sold short on upticks, meaning when the last trade of a specific stock in the market was higher than the preceding trade of that stock.Martin Fackler and Keith Bradsher
compare downtick sense 2

Examples of uptick in a Sentence

an uptick in sales over the last fiscal year
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.
Lunar New Year holiday data point to a spending uptick, just enough to keep Beijing from likely embarking on large-scale stimulus. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026 Early voting data suggest a notable uptick in early Democratic turnout, which could point to a continuing trend of strong enthusiasm among the party’s base. Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026 Homicide and nonfatal shooting totals fell again in 2023, but the city was roiled by robbery and carjacking crews responsible for an overall uptick in violence. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026 With a conference-opening series against Oklahoma less than two weeks away, the Aggies saw an uptick in competition this past weekend. Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uptick

Word History

Etymology

up entry 2 + tick entry 1

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of uptick was in 1952

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Uptick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uptick. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

uptick

noun
up·​tick ˈəp-ˌtik How to pronounce uptick (audio)
: an increase, rise, or upward trend
an uptick in cost
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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