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Definitions

uphill

[uhp-hil, uhp-hil] / ˈʌpˈhɪl, ˈʌpˌhɪl /
ADJECTIVE
going up
Synonyms
STRONGEST
skyward
STRONG
ascending climbing mounting rising uprising
WEAK
acclivous sloping upward toward summit up
Antonyms
WEAK
downhill easy facile
ADJECTIVE
difficult, laborious
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arduous exhausting grueling punishing strenuous
STRONG
tough
WEAK
effortful hard labored operose rugged taxing toilsome wearisome
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy effortless facile
WEAK
downhill

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.

While winning that case would be uphill sledding, the report may have ultimately been a useful development for him.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2026

It has also bet on smartglasses, but convincing consumers to buy them has been an uphill battle.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Talks face an uphill battle in resolving the vast differences in the warring sides' positions.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Chelsea faced an uphill task against defending champions Paris St-Germain and were made to suffer with an 8-2 aggregate defeat.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

In Hades he was punished by having to try forever to roll a rock uphill which forever rolled back upon him.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Vocabulary lists containing uphill

Difficult

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