one-up

verb

Definition of one-upnext
as in to outdo

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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 The smartest thing The Pitt did in its second season was not try to one-up its first. — Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026 Overall, this is a rather fascinating deal between division rivals attempting to one-up one another in the Atlantic. — James Mirtle, New York Times, 1 July 2026 After signing a top-five class last cycle, Freeman and the Irish are looking to one-up their efforts, currently holding the silver medal spot in 2027. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 Season one’s twist that Sugar is an alien recontextualized the entire series, and while there’s a couple cool twists in season two, the writers didn’t try to one-up themselves to that degree. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for one-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-up
  1. outdo
  2. outrun
  3. outpace
  4. better
  5. outrace
  6. outshine
  7. surpass
  8. transcend
Verb
  • Whatever the old hierarchy promised, Cheval Blanc Courchevel intended to outdo it.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Not to be outdone by Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, Best Buy is running its own sale with Techtober, giving you discounts on tech.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of outdo
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Musk kept outrunning the movie with his controversial behavior.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Move too quickly and organizations burn out, make avoidable mistakes, or outrun their capabilities.
    — Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of outrun
Verb
  • Until recently, value was outperforming growth, and small caps were outpacing large caps — all while the Magnificent Seven was virtually flat on the year.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The World Health Organization has said the outbreak continues to outpace efforts to track and slow the spread, and is set to exceed West Africa’s regional outbreak between 2014 and 2016 — the deadliest on record — which killed 11,000 people.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of outpace
Verb
  • As a senator, her priorities include supporting economic development, bettering police and community relations, securing funding for educational programs and passing policies for affordable housing, according to her campaign website.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • His hopes for The Situation is to better the experience of other disadvantaged creatives climbing the ranks today.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of better
Verb
  • Chambliss hits Alexander in stride, allowing the speedy receiver to outrace pursuit to the end zone.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Navarro outraced the defense to a through ball played ahead by Paxten Aaronson and beat goalkeeper Drake Callender one on one from near the penalty spot to give the Rapids a 1-0 lead.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Definition of outrace
Verb
  • But successful merchandising also involves a lot of judgment, which is where humans still outshine AI.
    — Zohar Gilad, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But doubt crept into the stands as the game wore on, the mounting tension at times outshining the spiritwear.
    — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of outshine
Verb
  • For Tom Ford, which just surpassed that significant $1 billion milestone, Hertzmark Hudis highlighted how the company has successfully continued its legacy after the designer stepped away.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Muse has surpassed 5 million downloads, with more than 3 million weekly active users.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of surpass
Verb
  • Starting off strong with a stunning (and huge) 16-inch 2K touch-screen, this laptop is already transcending your traditional expectations.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
  • However, this series captures the components that made the original so timeless, while allowing the titular character to transcend her small town and connect with other young women with special abilities across the globe.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of transcend

Browse Nearby Words

one-twos
one-up
one-upped
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“One-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-up. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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