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.

Within industries, as a supply-chain crisis unfolds, fear and self-protection instincts kick in, with hoarding and company-level stockpiling resulting in confusing demand signals that make it hard for upstream producers to respond.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

In April, China’s factory-gate inflation rose to its highest level since July 2022, boosting profits for upstream oil and gas producers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

However, James Wallace from River Action said the safety levels depends on factors including how polluted the River Pang has been, which feeds in further upstream.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

"That's critical for identifying the upstream regulators that drive these disease states."

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

He says his mother was so excited about showing off the baby to the upstream relatives he got jealous and hid out, and she plumb forgot to take him.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

upstream

Example Sentences

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