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Definitions

upstream

[uhp-streem] / ˈʌpˈstrim /
ADJECTIVE
difficult
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambitious arduous burdensome challenging crucial demanding laborious onerous painful problematic severe strenuous tough troublesome
WEAK
backbreaker bothersome difficile easier said than done effortful exacting formidable galling gargantuan hard-won heavy herculean immense intricate irritating labored no picnic not easy operose problem prohibitive rigid stiff titanic toilsome trying unyielding uphill wearisome
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy effortless facile helpful nice trivial
WEAK
calm free friendly manageable plain simple sociable straightforward uncomplicated

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.

This is becoming the standard position: A.I. for everything upstream of prose is acceptable; A.I. for the prose itself is a betrayal.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

But he expects the stock to rebound, “reflecting the potential for an upstream spending recovery post the Middle East conflict, balanced against the risk of further activity disruptions.”

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Given the heightened inflation expectations, Nuveen evinces a clear preference for floating rate rather than fixed-credit instruments, energy and upstream assets across equities, and for hard assets and real return profiles.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

“Large-scale production has further strengthened our bargaining power with upstream suppliers, creating a sustained cost advantage,” the company said in its IPO filing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

We sail upstream and moor the ships near our chosen site.

From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone