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

The surveys show widespread skepticism that governments can really fix problems like the affordability crisis, rising inequality, declining upward mobility, and stagnating or declining living standards. —Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026

What about upward mobility and the hope for each generation to do better economically than the previous one? —Mark Robert Rank, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026

Educational attainment is consistently associated with upward mobility, longer life expectancy, lower rates of chronic disease and better mental health. —Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Our understanding of what kinds of Americans experience upward mobility—and which ones don’t—has improved immensely over the past 10 years. —Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026

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