upward mobility
noun
: the capacity or facility for rising to a higher social or economic position
upwardly mobile
adjective
Examples of upward mobility in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The American dream is rooted in the concept that any citizen can achieve prosperity, upward mobility, and economic security.
—
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
The Athletic’s Bracket Watch that published on Tuesday had Auburn, Duke, Florida and Alabama as the top seeds — with Auburn a lock to stay there and Duke close to it — and No. 2 seeds Tennessee and Houston as the challengers with the most opportunity for upward mobility.
—Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 2 Mar. 2025
Claudia Martinez speaks about MANA de San Diego, a nonprofit that empowers Latinas to achieve upward mobility and a better quality of life through college preparation, leadership programs and scholarship support.
—Paola Hernandez Jiao, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
The Lincoln penny was designed not just to pay its way but to remind us that a non-billionaire — born on the prairie, self-educated, and committed to the idea of upward mobility — once rose from a log cabin to the White House.
—Harold Holzer, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upward mobility
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.
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
The Athletic’s Bracket Watch that published on Tuesday had Auburn, Duke, Florida and Alabama as the top seeds — with Auburn a lock to stay there and Duke close to it — and No. 2 seeds Tennessee and Houston as the challengers with the most opportunity for upward mobility.
—Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 2 Mar. 2025
Claudia Martinez speaks about MANA de San Diego, a nonprofit that empowers Latinas to achieve upward mobility and a better quality of life through college preparation, leadership programs and scholarship support.
—Paola Hernandez Jiao, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
The Lincoln penny was designed not just to pay its way but to remind us that a non-billionaire — born on the prairie, self-educated, and committed to the idea of upward mobility — once rose from a log cabin to the White House.
—Harold Holzer, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upward mobility
Cite this Entry
“Upward mobility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upward%20mobility. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share