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

Since the end of the draft in 1973, according to my research, the success of military recruiting has largely hinged on young people’s perceptions of their chances for upward mobility. — Jeremiah Favara, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

It’s long been said—perhaps even taken for granted—that a college education can be a path to upward mobility. — Miranda Marquit, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026

For example, in Intergenerational Mobility of Immigrants in the US over Two Centuries, the researchers found that children of immigrants often experience upward mobility, especially when starting near the bottom of the income distribution. — True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Maryland The Terrapins have a chance at upward mobility based on their schedule. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 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