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

The latest airline upgrade isn’t an in-flight bed, five-star meals or a craft cocktail. — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 July 2026

The project is looking for modular, open-architecture technology that can support military missions in different locations and allow for quick upgrades. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026

Verb

Taiwan’s upgraded version can also detect low-altitude cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, aircraft, and other airborne threats. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Faced with delays in deliveries of missiles from the US, countries including Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have all begun upgrading domestic military manufacturing capacity, Nikkei reported. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 10 July 2026