one-upped; one-upping; one-ups
: to practice one-upmanship on
: being in a position of advantage
—usually used with on
Examples of one-up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
When Chase increased the rewards on its Sapphire Reserve Card in June, American Express tried to one-up its rival with a press release letting people know that upgrades to the Platinum Card were coming.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
Rhetorical listening means avoiding the urge to one-up the opponent or convert the unwashed masses.
—Lee Bebout, The Conversation, 16 Sep. 2025
Matthew eventually one-ups the request by losing his boxers as well and going full Winnie the Pooh, which earns him the respect of his fellow suck-ups.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-up
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Verb
The Dutch driver was knocked out of the race, leaving Hamilton with the perfect opportunity to one-up his rival.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
When Chase increased the rewards on its Sapphire Reserve Card in June, American Express tried to one-up its rival with a press release letting people know that upgrades to the Platinum Card were coming.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
Rhetorical listening means avoiding the urge to one-up the opponent or convert the unwashed masses.
—Lee Bebout, The Conversation, 16 Sep. 2025
Matthew eventually one-ups the request by losing his boxers as well and going full Winnie the Pooh, which earns him the respect of his fellow suck-ups.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-up
Cite this Entry
“One-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-up. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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