as in to outdo
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of one-up
What your child needs is for their parents to put their child’s needs first and create an environment where their children can thrive, not look for ways to one-up each other.
—
Jann Blackstone, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
Wallen also holds four of the top 10, likewise a new best, one-upping the three simultaneous top 10s that Drake logged for nine weeks in June-September 2018.
—Gary Trust, Billboard, 3 June 2025
And in the business category, several carriers have spent the past few years quietly racing to one-up each other by installing more comfortable lie-flat beds, swapping polyester seat fabrics for higher-quality leather and wool blends, and offering everything from caviar service to premium wines.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 30 May 2025
Aussie horror sibs Danny and Michael Philippou one-up themselves with their depraved second feature, a visceral nerve-shredder that thrusts them into the same scream big leagues as Ari Aster, John Carpenter and Jordan Peele.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-up
Jann Blackstone, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
Wallen also holds four of the top 10, likewise a new best, one-upping the three simultaneous top 10s that Drake logged for nine weeks in June-September 2018.
—Gary Trust, Billboard, 3 June 2025
And in the business category, several carriers have spent the past few years quietly racing to one-up each other by installing more comfortable lie-flat beds, swapping polyester seat fabrics for higher-quality leather and wool blends, and offering everything from caviar service to premium wines.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 30 May 2025
Aussie horror sibs Danny and Michael Philippou one-up themselves with their depraved second feature, a visceral nerve-shredder that thrusts them into the same scream big leagues as Ari Aster, John Carpenter and Jordan Peele.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-up
Verb
-
Application teams have been scrambling to outdo each other ever since, with promises of millions of dollars in investment, thousands of affordable housing units and union jobs.—
Téa Kvetenadze,
New York Daily News,
28 June 2025
-
Not to be outdone, the Unite Here union of hotel workers is rushing to qualify a ballot initiative of its own for a 2026 vote: A $30 minimum wage for all workers in the city of Los Angeles.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
From a performance standpoint, Iron Maiden continue to outrun the retirement allegations.—
Quentin Thane Singer,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
More Allison Robbert/Getty Images What DeSantis can't outrun, though, is the perception problem.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
New technology has once again outpaced available power reserves.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
-
Kesha Beats Old Dominion, Alex Warren and Rosé Kesha outpaced several other superstars who delivered new work this Friday.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Brazilian dystopian series 3% is another show that follows people who are struggling financially and enter a competition to better their lives.—
Skyler Trepel,
People.com,
30 June 2025
-
Kate Hudson considered being emancipated from her parents, Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson, to better her Hollywood career.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
His past is tough to outrace, though, and his biggest competition might be his own teammate, the hotshot rookie Joshua Pearce (Idris).—
Nada Aboul Kheir,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
-
After Pete Alonso tied the score with a double, Brandon Nimmo put the Mets (38-23) in front by beating out an infield single, outracing Kershaw to the bag on a ground ball Freeman fielded in front of second baseman Hyeseong Kim (who might have had an easier play moving toward the bag).—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Central Texas suburbs outshine Austin, claiming top 30 spots in national rankings Our more suburban counterparts are clearly thriving.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
-
In a career spanning 37 years and over 50 features, there have been few instances when Aamir Khan has been outshined in a film.—
Anupama Chopra,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Russian Attacks on Ukraine and War Developments Late on July 3 and into the early hours of July 4, Russia battered Ukraine with more than 500 drones and missiles in the most intense aerial attack of the war, surpassing the previous record set just days earlier on June 29.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
The death toll from flooding in Texas surpassed 100 on Monday, as officials faced scrutiny over the adequacy of local warning systems.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
With roots in Benin through her Nigerian mother and Beninese father, Kidjo's impact transcends her celebrated music and distinctive Mama Africa persona.—
Ime Ekpo,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
-
The brand draws inspiration from legendary wrestlers like Bull Nakano, the Crush Gals, the Beauty Pair and Dump Matsumoto, who transcended the ring to become cultural icons influencing fashion, toys, anime and music.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“One-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-up. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share