1
as in hills
an upward slope
had to walk our bicycle on the upgrades on our ride through the hills
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promotions
a raising or a state of being raised to a higher rank or position
received an upgrade to lieutenant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slopes
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in promotes
to move higher in rank or position
upgraded them to first class
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in improves
to make better
that restaurant had better upgrade its service—and fast—if it wants to stay in business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of upgrades
John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The Charlotte Boardwalk upgrades To attract more tenants, Red Hill is looking to make several aesthetic changes, including new awnings, paint and wayfinding signage.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2026
But the unilateral decision to close the Kennedy Center for two years of upgrades—or a teardown perhaps—is a step beyond.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Many of the winning spots on the list (find all fifty states here) have recently announced menu changes, upgrades, or budget-friendly items to keep customers coming back.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 2 Feb. 2026
Members receive a 15 percent discount on direct bookings, a welcome drink, a bottle of wine or sparkling wine on arrival, room upgrades (subject to availability), and early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability).
—Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
Tackle indoor DIYs like painting trim, accent walls, and replacing hardware for fast winter upgrades.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
The company boasts that the new robot will have major upgrades, including a new hand design.
—Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
Throughout, the out-there design has been paired with state-of-the-art tech and security upgrades.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2026
Michael Bloom, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Network upgrades that speed up transactions and reduce costs eliminate real-world barriers that keep people from using blockchain platforms.
—Matthew Kayser, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
The Wizards dealt with this via an acquire-and-shutdown maneuver with Trae Young, but the others may be more willing to pursue roster upgrades after the season.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The Charlotte Boardwalk upgrades To attract more tenants, Red Hill is looking to make several aesthetic changes, including new awnings, paint and wayfinding signage.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2026
But the unilateral decision to close the Kennedy Center for two years of upgrades—or a teardown perhaps—is a step beyond.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Many of the winning spots on the list (find all fifty states here) have recently announced menu changes, upgrades, or budget-friendly items to keep customers coming back.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 2 Feb. 2026
Members receive a 15 percent discount on direct bookings, a welcome drink, a bottle of wine or sparkling wine on arrival, room upgrades (subject to availability), and early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability).
—Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
Tackle indoor DIYs like painting trim, accent walls, and replacing hardware for fast winter upgrades.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
The company boasts that the new robot will have major upgrades, including a new hand design.
—Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
Throughout, the out-there design has been paired with state-of-the-art tech and security upgrades.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Bank of America upgrades Five Below to buy from underperform Bank of America says the turnaround is working for Five Below.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Network upgrades that speed up transactions and reduce costs eliminate real-world barriers that keep people from using blockchain platforms.
—Matthew Kayser, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upgrades
Noun
-
In the hills, in the hollows, up the draws and the old dirt logging roads, hidden in the chaparral above the fog line, growing and selling weed became a way of life, woven into the community and its economy.—
Scott Eden,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The wheels, for example, are oversized so the suitcase is easy to drag over bricks, curbs, dirt, or up steep hills.—
The Editors,
Outside,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Participants start at Epilogue Books to get a Galentine's event sticker, wear the sticker at participating restaurants for special discounts, visit local shops for Galentine's promotions and to be entered in downtown-wide giveaway drawings (more than $300 in gift cards).—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
All such promotions were internal, underscoring boards’ growing preference for leaders with deep institutional knowledge and financial credibility.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
On the ice and the slopes, American athletes will once again be outfitted by Ralph Lauren, but what about everyone else?—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2026
-
His return to the slopes was very much a family effort.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The event, which promotes TV shows and movies for the year and beyond, had only been announced to the press.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Jan. 2026
-
North Dakota and Rhode Island have among the most restrictive statewide bans, requiring phones be kept in inaccessible storage, according to an analysis by the Institute for Families and Technology, a nonprofit that promotes digital safety for children.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This improves access for ions and molecules, which matters for batteries and chemical sensing.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Advocate improves employees’ health and retirement The company is also allocating $40 million to enhance program benefits, including offering free virtual care and expanded support for mental health, women’s health and menopause care.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But the car—small, low to the ground, and exceedingly heavy, owing to the ballistic steel and glass—is not suited to a city like Caracas, which is rife with steep inclines and deep potholes, and is best travelled in a four-by-four.—
Armando Ledezma,
New Yorker,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Its flexible 3-layer HydroWall shell is completely waterproof and still breathable, with pit zips to release excess heat on steep inclines.—
Annita Katee,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The goal is to enhance our lives by sharing safety measures, shielding each other from outside dangers; advancements in intelligence; and natural resources.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Peter is also interested in how the hardware development intersects with advancements in computational architecture.—
Sarwant Singh,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Trump’s inclinations to make every race about him could foul this for the GOP.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The trick is to select a paint color that is calming and neutral enough so as not to be too visually demanding, while also speaking to your personal style and color inclinations.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Upgrades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upgrades. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
