Definitions

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.

Improving resilience, they argue, requires coordinated strategies that account for the connections between upstream and downstream production stages.

From Science Daily • Jun. 20, 2026

If you don’t have great people, you’re swimming upstream.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

The company’s finance chief Kate Thomson said higher prices offer an improved outlook for upstream transactions, the analysts write, after hosting a roadshow with her.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

Bielawski prefers to own the nuclear supply chain further upstream.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Unless they wanted to splash back upstream for a mile and find another route, they would have to climb down the waterfall.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

upstream

Example Sentences

Related Words