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Synonyms

upward mobility

British  

noun

  1. sociol the movement of an individual, social group, or class to a position of increased status or power Compare downward mobility See also horizontal mobility vertical mobility

"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

upward mobility Cultural  
  1. Rising from a lower to a higher social class or status. (See also social mobility.)


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.

See Examples For:

They are "aspirational young Indians and their parents who see these exams as a path to upward mobility".

From BBC Jul. 23, 2026

Survey respondents said the dream's key elements were personal freedom, financial security and homeownership, and success and upward mobility.

From Barron's Jul. 1, 2026

But Veda has zero admiration for Mildred’s rapid upward mobility, striking the pose of a blue blood who looks down on hard work.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 29, 2026

It suggests that even in an economy with high employment, many workers run into an invisible barrier to upward mobility just when their careers are supposed to gain momentum.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 1, 2026

My world was filled with hopeful, hardworking people who were obsessed with their own upward mobility.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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