one-up

1 of 2

verb

ˌwən-ˈəp How to pronounce one-up (audio)
ˈwən-
one-upped; one-upping; one-ups

transitive verb

: to practice one-upmanship on

one up

2 of 2

adjective

: being in a position of advantage
usually used with on

Examples of one-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Reports indicate the Toronto Blue Jays are still in the mix and could attempt to one-up the Mets. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 Hartlepool United, for example, were re-elected 14 times between 1920 and 1987, the year automatic relegation was introduced, on a one-up/one-down basis. Matt Slater, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025 Wall Street is looking to see if Palantir Technologies can one-up its last blowout earnings report after the closing bell on Monday. Brian Evans, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025 Studios and streamers, including A24 and Neon, started circling the film, trying to one-up each other in a feverish effort to land the buzzy project. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for one-up 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from one-upmanship

First Known Use

Verb

1963, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of one-up was in 1919

Dictionary Entries Near one-up

Cite this Entry

“One-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-up. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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