1
: an unaccented beat or portion of a beat in a musical measure
specifically
: the last beat of the measure
2
: an increase in activity or prosperity
business that is on the upbeat
: cheerful, optimistic
I'm feeling upbeat today
Examples of upbeat in a Sentence
Adjective
I like a story with an upbeat ending.
I tried to stay upbeat about losing the election.
Recent Examples on the Web
Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Dec. 2025
These songs help to impart knowledge about the Festival of Lights in an upbeat, interesting way.
—Fiona Tapp, Parents, 16 Dec. 2025
Melissa Willets, Parents, 28 Dec. 2025
The film is relentlessly upbeat and optimistic, sometimes veering into cloying territory.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upbeat
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Ramona High girls’ soccer coach Daniel Delgado is not only uber upbeat, but a 2008 Bulldog graduate who is an on-campus physical education teacher, and has some very good early-season numbers to go with it.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Dec. 2025
These songs help to impart knowledge about the Festival of Lights in an upbeat, interesting way.
—Fiona Tapp, Parents, 16 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Celebrating milestones and looking ahead to college life can keep the mood upbeat while reinforcing the importance of finishing strong.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 28 Dec. 2025
The film is relentlessly upbeat and optimistic, sometimes veering into cloying territory.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upbeat
Cite this Entry
“Upbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upbeat. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upbeat
1 of 2 noun
up·beat
ˈəp-ˌbēt 
: an unaccented beat in a musical measure
especially
: the last beat of the measure
upbeat
2 of 2 adjective
: optimistic, cheerful
an upbeat story
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share