upsell

American  

[uhp-sel] / ˈʌpˌsɛl /

verb (used with or without object)

upsold, upselling

1. to try to persuade (a customer) to buy more, or to buy something more expensive.

   I don’t like aggressive salesmen trying to upsell me or tack on expensive warranties.

2. to sell (something) in this way.

   Want to upsell merchandise or VIP experiences on your website? No problem.

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noun

1. an act or instance of making such an attempt (often used attributively).

   Unlike other software companies, we don't have complex pricing tiers or upsells.

   If one of your other products would solve a customer's problem, it's a great opportunity to send an upsell email.

Etymology

Origin of upsell

First recorded in 1975–80; up- ( def. ) + sell ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The difference shakes out to about a $125,000 upsell for the V12.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

“If you call the number on your bill, you’re calling customer service, and their job is to upsell you,” Keaney says.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 11, 2025

“It is also the volume that allows Microsoft to upsell data fabric and other infrastructure software, thus getting growth leverage and lifting AI margins overall.”

From Barron's • Dec. 4, 2025

"There are positives, as traders don't have to rely on customers having available change. They may also have the opportunity to upsell items at higher prices," he says.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2025

Salespeople would always tell you—in an effort to upsell you, but it was true—that the system will only sound as good as its worst component.

From Slate • Aug. 13, 2025