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

And today's Amazon Deals of the Day are running epic discounts on exactly such intelligent smart home devices to give your daily routine a seamless upgrade. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

SpaceX implemented multiple upgrades and software changes to ensure a successful return this time around. — William Harwood, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

On the mobile front, Amazon is upgrading the Fire TV app to use Alexa+ to help users discover shows and manage watchlists. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

Stewart was down for a minute as the officials reviewed the play and upgraded the play to a Flagrant-1 foul. — Doug Feinberg, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026