Synonyms of upgrade

upgrade 1 of 2

noun

ˈəp-ˌgrād 

1

as in hill

an upward slope

had to walk our bicycle on the upgrades on our ride through the hills

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hill
• inclination
• climb
• incline
• ascent
• uphill
• rise
• uprise
• rake
• acclivity
• gradient
• tilt
• lean
• pitch
• cant
• diagonal
• grade
• ridge
• hump
• swell
• glacis
• mound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decline
• downgrade
• fall
• dip
• hanging
• downhill
• descent
• declension
• declivity
• basin
• depression
• drop-off
• hang
• hollow

2

as in promotion

a raising or a state of being raised to a higher rank or position

received an upgrade to lieutenant

Synonyms & Similar Words

• promotion
• advancement
• upgrading
• rise
• ascent
• creation
• elevation
• preference
• preferment
• magnification
• aggrandizement
• exaltation
• glorification
• ennoblement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduction
• downgrade
• degradation
• removal
• demotion
• suspension
• discharge
• deposition
• dismissal
• overthrow
• abasement
• expulsion
• impeachment
• comedown
• disrating
• ouster
• fall
• downfall
• dethronement
• unseating
• unmaking

3

as in slope

the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon

there's a steep upgrade to some of the hills on that route

Synonyms & Similar Words

• slope
• inclination
• incline
• gradient
• lean
• pitch
• climb
• rake
• grade
• diagonal
• ascent
• cant
• bank
• slant
• rise

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• downgrade
• decline
• fall
• dip
• hanging
• declination
• descent
• declension
• declivity
• hang
• receding

upgrade

2 of 2

verb

ˈəp-ˌgrād 

1

as in to promote

to move higher in rank or position

upgraded them to first class

Synonyms & Similar Words

• promote
• elevate
• advance
• improve
• raise
• kick upstairs
• forward
• further
• lift
• uplift
• boost
• heighten
• compliment
• aggrandize
• decorate
• knight
• honor
• celebrate
• commission
• commend
• congratulate
• ennoble
• applaud
• salute
• cite
• praise
• acclaim
• exalt
• hail
• laud
• eulogize
• extol
• glorify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• downgrade
• degrade
• remove
• lower
• dismiss
• overthrow
• expel
• impeach
• oust
• unseat
• depose
• demote
• humble
• take down
• shame
• humiliate
• disgrace
• abase
• dishonor
• dethrone
• demean
• unmake
• condemn
• denounce
• damn
• censure
• mortify
• reprobate

2

as in to improve

to make better

that restaurant had better upgrade its service—and fast—if it wants to stay in business

Synonyms & Similar Words

• improve
• enhance
• better
• refine
• amend
• remedy
• help
• remediate
• perfect
• ameliorate
• enrich
• reinforce
• refurbish
• rectify
• correct
• meliorate
• revise
• rehabilitate
• reform
• strengthen
• revamp
• intensify
• rework
• edit
• boost
• fine
• fine-tune
• fortify
• polish
• rehab
• redraft
• beef (up)
• emend
• hone
• retouch
• touch up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• worsen
• damage
• hurt
• impair
• harm
• tarnish
• flaw
• injure
• spoil
• reduce
• vitiate
• diminish
• disfigure
• endamage
• mar
• deface
• blight
• lower
• lessen
• blemish

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of upgrade

Noun

Steak n Shake goes all-in on seed-oil-free fryers The clearest example of the comeback is Steak n Shake, which has pitched its tallow switch as a seed-oil-free upgrade. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2026

And if your noggin can handle the overload, an optional upgrade is available that caters for multiple views in one viewing space. — New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026

Verb

More recently, the estate underwent an extensive restoration and upgrade by its prior owners, Saw producer Oren Koules and his wife, former Top Chef Canada judge Shereen Arazm. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026

South Korean giants Samsung and SK Hynix are reportedly upgrading their production facilities in China to make more advanced memory chips to meet the Asian giant’s growing appetite. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026