upward mobility

noun

: the capacity or facility for rising to a higher social or economic position

upwardly mobile adjective

Examples of upward mobility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But without Bertha’s savvy understanding of polite society, George wouldn’t be able to court critical clients outside the office, sustain essential relationships, or properly position his family for upward mobility. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025

Federal employment is one of the few job sectors where Black women have had meaningful access to upward mobility, making up over 12% of the federal workforce — double their share of the labor force overall. —Juliana Stratton, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025

For years, many people in Mexico looked north to the U.S. as an opportunity for upward mobility. —Jorge Gonzalez Henrichsen, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

For decades, American higher education has been framed as an engine of upward mobility. —Scott White, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for upward mobility

• acceptability
• accessibility
• adaptability
• admissibility
• advisability
• affordability
• allowability
• amenability
• amiability
• appealability
• applicability
• availability