as in to outdo
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Recent Examples of one-up
What your child needs is for their parents to put their child’s needs first and create an environment where their children can thrive, not look for ways to one-up each other.
—
Jann Blackstone, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
Wallen also holds four of the top 10, likewise a new best, one-upping the three simultaneous top 10s that Drake logged for nine weeks in June-September 2018.
—Gary Trust, Billboard, 3 June 2025
And in the business category, several carriers have spent the past few years quietly racing to one-up each other by installing more comfortable lie-flat beds, swapping polyester seat fabrics for higher-quality leather and wool blends, and offering everything from caviar service to premium wines.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 30 May 2025
Aussie horror sibs Danny and Michael Philippou one-up themselves with their depraved second feature, a visceral nerve-shredder that thrusts them into the same scream big leagues as Ari Aster, John Carpenter and Jordan Peele.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-up
Jann Blackstone, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
Wallen also holds four of the top 10, likewise a new best, one-upping the three simultaneous top 10s that Drake logged for nine weeks in June-September 2018.
—Gary Trust, Billboard, 3 June 2025
And in the business category, several carriers have spent the past few years quietly racing to one-up each other by installing more comfortable lie-flat beds, swapping polyester seat fabrics for higher-quality leather and wool blends, and offering everything from caviar service to premium wines.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 30 May 2025
Aussie horror sibs Danny and Michael Philippou one-up themselves with their depraved second feature, a visceral nerve-shredder that thrusts them into the same scream big leagues as Ari Aster, John Carpenter and Jordan Peele.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-up
Verb
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Excellence Coral Playa Mujeres Excellence Playa Mujeres has long been considered among the best all-inclusive resorts in Cancun, but with the February 2025 debut of a second Costa Mujeres property, the Excellence Collection somehow outdid itself.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
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Apple has outdone itself with its most recent Apple Mac mini micro-desktop.—
Jade Chung-Lee,
PC Magazine,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Regardless of the franchise, Mahershala Ali just can’t outrun the Daywalker.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
6 July 2025
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Part three coming May 9: After getting a black flag, would LW Wright outrun the law?—
The Tennessean,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Verb
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How much more expensive will back to school shopping be in 2025? Pencils, pens and backpacks are all outpacing the overall producer price index.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
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Russia is outpacing Ukrainian recruitment and is now advancing faster than at any point in two years.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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The performance, which bettered Wilson’s former U18 best of 44.20 from last year at the Holloway Pro Classic, moved the rising high school senior and Olympic gold medalist to No. 4 in the world at the distance.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
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Research has shown that expressing gratitude provides many health benefits including reducing depression, improving self-esteem, bettering sleep, lowering blood pressure and an increased sense of happiness and well-being.—
Rafael James,
Sun Sentinel,
24 June 2025
Verb
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His past is tough to outrace, though, and his biggest competition might be his own teammate, the hotshot rookie Joshua Pearce (Idris).—
Nada Aboul Kheir,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
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After Pete Alonso tied the score with a double, Brandon Nimmo put the Mets (38-23) in front by beating out an infield single, outracing Kershaw to the bag on a ground ball Freeman fielded in front of second baseman Hyeseong Kim (who might have had an easier play moving toward the bag).—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
Verb
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In a career spanning 37 years and over 50 features, there have been few instances when Aamir Khan has been outshined in a film.—
Anupama Chopra,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
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Though Bali and Sri Lanka are both rife with natural beauty, the latter outshines the former in one field in particular: wildlife tourism.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
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The death toll from flooding in Texas surpassed 100 on Monday, as officials faced scrutiny over the adequacy of local warning systems.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
8 July 2025
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Russian Attacks on Ukraine and War Developments Late on July 3 and into the early hours of July 4, Russia battered Ukraine with more than 500 drones and missiles in the most intense aerial attack of the war, surpassing the previous record set just days earlier on June 29.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Superman’s persona transcends any one classification.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 July 2025
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As Bailey crossed home, his oxygen reserves depleted after completing a walk-off, three-run, inside-the-park home run to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-3, the moment transcended into the echelon of unforgettable.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“One-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-up. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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