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

Atlas still faces an uphill battle against Chrome, which has 3.45 billion global users.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Whoever emerges victorious Sunday faces an uphill task, inheriting an economy in recession, according to the World Bank.

Read more on Barron's

Most agreed with him that it was a racing incident, the sort of thing that can happen at this first corner, with its wide, uphill entry which inevitably leads to a concertina effect mid-turn.

Read more on BBC

Piastri made a better start than Norris and initially moved to attack his team-mate on the outside as they approached the first corner with its wide, uphill entry.

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The Australian had a better start than the Briton and initially challenged on the outside on the uphill entry to the corner.

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Related Words

• arduous 
• exhausting 
• grueling 
• punishing 
• strenuous