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
• extoll
• 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
• strengthen
• reform
• revamp
• intensify
• rework
• edit
• boost
• fine
• fine-tune
• fortify
• polish
• rehab
• redraft
• reenforce
• 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

Examples of upgrade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The upgrades included improved lighting, an increase in mannequin headcount, reduced displays, and a focus on high-end products. —Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 15 Aug. 2024

Image: Zero Zero Robotics Other upgrades include a faster follow speed of 26mph, up from 15mph on the HoverAir X1 (which will appeal to cyclists); 16-minute flight times; and the addition of rear and side collision sensors. —Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2024

Verb

To upgrade to Maverik’s Nitro card, which gets you even more perks, pick up your free physical Nitro card in store and link it to an existing Adventure Club account. —Outside Online, 15 Aug. 2024

This tension has fueled the rise of energy cooperatives, where customers have a say in how the grid gets upgraded and how prices are set. —Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 15 Aug. 2024