Definitions

one-up

VERB

trump

Synonyms

WEAK

angle beguile bluff exploit finagle finesse jockey maneuver manipulate operate play play games pull strings pull wires rig wangle

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.

“Every act that comes in there—and I love this—everyone tries to one-up the last act.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Ever since the launch of ChatGPT, top artificial-intelligence labs have been embroiled in a cutthroat competition to one-up each other with powerful new features.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

Discovery as it tried to one-up Netflix in Hollywood’s biggest takeover battle.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Roberts said his team’s starting pitchers are all competing to one-up each other, giving the significance of the games now.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2025

I began to get the feeling she was just messing around—taking the piss, I should say—trying to one-up Millard and his rope-across- the-alley trick.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs