Definitions

one-upmanship

[wuhn-uhp-muhn-ship] / ˈwʌnˈʌp mənˌʃɪp /

NOUN

back-and-forth competition

Synonyms

STRONGEST

gamesmanship

STRONG

artfulness competition cunning cutthroat

WEAK

bettering cageyness canniness competitive advantage competitive edge outfoxing outsmarting outwitting rivaling

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.

One-upmanship between the partners became a spur for Lennon to try harder, with McCartney responding in kind.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2025