upgrade

1 an upward slope had to walk our bicycle on the upgrades on our ride through the hills Synonyms acclivity, hill, rise, ascent, uphill, upriseRelated Words cant, diagonal, glacis, grade, gradient, inclination, incline, lean, pitch, rake, tilt; climb, hump, mound, ridge, swellNear Antonyms basin, depression, hollowAntonyms declension, decline, declivity, descent, dip, downgrade, downhill, drop-off, fall, hang, hanging

2 a raising or a state of being raised to a higher rank or position received an upgrade to lieutenant Synonyms ascent, creation, elevation, preference, preferment, promotion, rise, advancement, upgradingRelated Words aggrandizement, ennoblement, exaltation, glorification, magnificationNear Antonyms deposition, dethronement, discharge, dismissal, expulsion, impeachment, ouster, overthrow, removal, suspension, unmaking, unseating; downfall, fallAntonyms abasement, comedown, degradation, demotion, disrating, downgrade, reduction

3 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 cant, diagonal, grade, gradient, inclination, incline, lean, pitch, rake, slope, tilt, slantRelated Words ascent, bank, climb, riseNear Antonyms declension, declination, decline, declivity, descent, dip, downgrade, fall, hang, hanging, receding

1 to move higher in rank or position upgraded them to first class Synonyms advance, elevate, raise, promoteRelated Words forward, further; aggrandize, boost, heighten, improve, lift, uplift; commission, ennoble, knight; acclaim, applaud, celebrate, cite, commend, compliment, congratulate, decorate; eulogize, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, hail, honor, laud, praise, saluteNear Antonyms depose, dethrone, dismiss, expel, impeach, oust, overthrow, remove, unmake, unseat; demean, disgrace, dishonor, humble, humiliate, mortify, shame, take down; censure, condemn, damn, denounce, reprobateAntonyms abase, degrade, demote, downgrade, lower, reduce

2 to make better that restaurant had better upgrade its service—and fast—if it wants to stay in business Synonyms ameliorate, amend, better, enhance, enrich, help, meliorate, perfect, refine, improveRelated Words correct, emend, rectify, reform, remediate, remedy; edit, fine-tune, redraft, refurbish, rehab, rehabilitate, revamp, revise, rework; beef (up), boost, fortify, intensify, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; fine, hone, polish; retouch, touch upNear Antonyms damage, endamage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, spoil, tarnish, vitiate; blemish, blight, deface, disfigure, flaw, mar; diminish, lessen, lower, reduceAntonyms worsen