upscale

adjective

ˈəp-ˈskāl How to pronounce upscale (audio)
Definition of upscalenext
as in fashionable
appealing to affluent consumers a new upscale shopping center is under construction on the west end of town

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 upscale The design reminded me of an upscale country retreat, one with the most beautiful coastlines in the Caribbean. — Datwon Thomas, VIBE.com, 8 Aug. 2026 Dinner Time The Nest brings an upscale sensibility to the burger joint, with gourmet beef, bison, and black bean patties dressed in inventive combinations, plus a full menu of alternatives for anyone not in a burger mood. — John Godfrey Published, Midwest Living, 8 Aug. 2026 An upscale Lake Tahoe enclave is on edge after a years-long spate of tree poisonings at a residents-only beach. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026 Arthouse movies are increasingly made for younger audiences who are replacing ageing stay-at-home baby boomers at Europe’s upscale cinema theaters. — John Hopewell, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upscale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upscale
  1. fashionable
  2. elegant
  3. exclusive
  4. high-end
  5. upmarket
Adjective
  • Ironically, in Hollywood, the land of eternal youth, end-of-life-doula training has become newly fashionable in the way that studying Kabbalah once was.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Showing off a bump was hardly fashionable until the early ’90s.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of fashionable
Adjective
  • The five-night yacht voyages combine access to historic sites along the river and elegant, luxurious accommodations.
    — Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Featuring romantic bell sleeves, an elegant boat neckline, and an adjustable back cinch detail, this figure-forming top looks flattering on just about everyone.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • Terry drives him home on an exclusive secret road between Beverly Hills and the Valley (the only other people who Terry knows have the gate code are Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty) but pulls over to a scenic viewpoint on the way.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The exclusive restaurant, which only serves hotel guests and club members, also offers alfresco dining in a courtyard shaded by expansive oak trees.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of exclusive
Adjective
  • As Miami’s high-end market heats up, staging has become practically a requirement for luxury sellers.
    — Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Owners will also get access to the hotel-resort next door, which will boast the Aman’s usual slate of top-tier amenities, including a spa, restaurants, high-end shops and a 10-acre botanical garden.
    — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of high-end
Adjective
  • The company is also profitable, a financial positioning that gives the founder the freedom to invest in higher quality materials, moving Sézane slightly upmarket, while shifting the editorial styling to feel more sophisticated.
    — Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Is this an upmarket housewares depot, as all the tableware is for sale?
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of upmarket

Browse Nearby Words

ups
upscale
upset
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upscale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upscale. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on upscale

Nglish: Translation of upscale for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of salvo

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All