uphill

UK: /ˌʌpˈhɪl/

US: /adv., adj. ˈʌpˈhɪl; n. ˈʌpˌhɪl/

US: (adv., adj. up′hil′; n. up′hil′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

up•hill /adv., adj. ˈʌpˈhɪl; n. ˈʌpˌhɪl/   adv. 

1. up or as if up the slope of a hill or other slope;
   upward:
   The soldiers marched uphill.

adj. 

2. going or tending upward on or as if on a hill:
   an uphill road.
3. at a high place or point:
   an uphill village.
4. very tiring or difficult:
   an uphill struggle to earn a living.

n. [countable]

5. a rising piece or area of land;
   ascent.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

up•hill  (adv., adj. up′hil′;n. up′hil′), adv. 

1. up or as if up the slope of a hill or other incline;
   upward:
   The soldiers marched uphill. Water does not run uphill without assistance.

adj. 

2. going or tending upward on or as if on a hill:
   an uphill road.
3. at a high place or point:
   an uphill village.
4. laboriously fatiguing or difficult:
   an uphill struggle to become wealthy.

n. 

5. a rising terrain;
   ascent.

• up- + hill 1540–50

Synonyms

• 4. . arduous, hard, strenuous, taxing, grueling.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

uphill / ˈʌpˈhɪl/ adjective

1. inclining, sloping, or leading upwards
2. requiring arduous and protracted effort: an uphill task

adverb

1. up an incline or slope; upwards
2. against difficulties

noun

1. a rising incline; ascent