uphill

American  

[uhp-hil, uhp-hil] / ˈʌpˈhɪl, ˈʌpˌhɪl /

adverb

1. up or as if up the slope of a hill or other incline; upward.

   The soldiers marched uphill. Water does not run uphill without assistance.

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adjective

1. going or tending upward on or as if on a hill.

   an uphill road.

2. at a high place or point.

   an uphill village.

3. laboriously fatiguing or difficult.

   an uphill struggle to become wealthy.

   Synonyms:

   grueling, taxing, strenuous, hard, arduous

noun

1. a rising terrain; ascent.

uphill British  

/ ˈʌpˈhɪl /

adjective

1. inclining, sloping, or leading upwards

2. requiring arduous and protracted effort

   an uphill task

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adverb

1. up an incline or slope; upwards

2. against difficulties

noun

1. a rising incline; ascent

Etymology

Origin of uphill

First recorded in 1540–50; up- + hill

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

uphill

“Apple is still fighting an uphill battle,” said Michael Levin of Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

The uphill climb continues for the Chargers, who play at Seattle on Sunday, with the defending Super Bowl champions itching to respond to an upset loss at Washington in Week 3.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

As he tinkered, he told David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti about his experiments, and they were hiking in the Swiss Alps when they decided to take on a more grueling uphill challenge: starting a company.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

Mobile UK, which represents EE, O2, Three and Vodafone, said: "Delivering world-class coverage is an uphill battle in a high-density city where development constantly reshapes the skyline."

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

He tried to picture the long driveway up to the Rossi house and thought it was uphill, but he wasn’t sure.

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith

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Related Words

• arduous
• exhausting
• grueling
• punishing
• strenuous

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