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.

If Hormuz reopens and oil falls, that diversification should provide more protection than investors would get from a pure upstream producer.

From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026

"But it is only really good news if it is not a complete mess upstream."

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

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

“Qatar accounts for a third of global production of helium, an upstream input of the AI supply chain that is also almost entirely shipped through Gulf terminals,” Allianz Research says.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 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

Related Words