uphill

[uhp-hil, uhp-hil]

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.

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

/ ˈʌpˈhɪl /

adjective

1. inclining, sloping, or leading upwards

2. requiring arduous and protracted effort

   an uphill task

adverb

1. up an incline or slope; upwards

2. against difficulties

noun

1. a rising incline; ascent

Word History and Origins

Origin of uphill¹

First recorded in 1540–50; up- + hill

Example Sentences

Dona Elliott, 59, owns this combination country store and saloon, built in 1929 of clapboard and shingles, uphill from the river and hard by a narrow woodland road.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It has left the Republic bottom of Group F on one point and facing an uphill struggle to qualify for next year's finals.

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Fire officials, in a briefing Sunday, explained that the blaze had crossed Dinkey Creek and was driven rapidly uphill due to the steep topography and shifts in weather.

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It burned through around a quarter of an acre of vegetation as it moved uphill, briefly threatening nearby homes.

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A disappointing 38-8 defeat left an uphill task to qualify for the knockout stages, and a win on Saturday over the world's number two ranked side Canada was required.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• arduous 
• exhausting 
• grueling 
• punishing 
• strenuous