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

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upward mobility Cultural  

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

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Example Sentences

For decades, the country’s consumer story was built around upward mobility: apartments, cars, electronics, luxury goods, overseas travel, and brand upgrades.

From Barron's • Jun. 19, 2026

Rather than debating the merits of income redistribution, we should start by scaling such evidence-backed efforts to improve opportunities for upward mobility.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Having a roof over your head is a fundamental human need and is a foundation for financial stability and upward mobility.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

I am very good at what I do, but there is limited upward mobility for this position.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

But monumental changes in the economy and in attitudes toward immigrants have made it far less likely that Peralta and his children will experience the same upward mobility as Zannikos and his family.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times