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Synonyms

upswing

American  
[uhp-swing, uhp-swing] / ˈʌpˌswɪŋ, ʌpˈswɪŋ /

noun

  1. an upward swing or swinging movement, as of a pendulum.

  2. a marked increase or improvement.

    an upswing in stock prices.

verb (used without object)

upswung, upswinging

  1. to make or undergo an upswing.

upswing British  

noun

  1. economics a recovery period in the trade cycle

  2. an upward swing or movement or any increase or improvement

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to swing or move up

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does on the upswing mean? The expression on the upswing refers to something in the process of improving or increasing. It’s often used in the context of economics. How is on the upswing pronounced?[ on thuh uhp-swing ]What are some other words related to on the upswing?

Etymology

Origin of upswing

First recorded in 1920–25; up- + swing 1

Explanation

An upswing is a period of improvement or growth, like the upswing in a town's population that results in an upswing in its economy. An upswing is also a literal upward swing of the arms, the way you move a jump rope or golf club. The golf meaning dates from 1922. The first figurative use of upswing in 1934, during the Great Depression, described economic improvements that were on the horizon. If you've ever had a period of bad luck, you know how it feels when life seems to finally be on the upswing, becoming a little bit better every day.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The upswing from February requires a little asterisk.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

The news, released Friday morning, shattered the markets’ assumption that the labor market has firmed and hiring is on the upswing.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

This year, however, energy prices have stabilized with cold U.S. winter weather, and fourth-quarter earnings are on the upswing following a “challenging” first three quarters of 2025, he noted.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 2026

Even after the upswing, shares are still off 18% year-to-date.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

Life, for J. R. Isidore, had definitely taken an upswing.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.