trade up

verb

traded up; trading up; trades up

intransitive verb

1
: to trade in (something, such as an automobile) for something more expensive or valuable of its kind
2
: to stock or purchase higher-priced items

Examples of trade up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The increase may reflect a mix of newcomers trying to get into the sport affordably and longtime anglers trading up secondhand rather than paying full price for new gear. — William Jones, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026 The former third overall pick, which Miami traded up to acquire in the 2013 draft, will go down in history as one of Miami’s biggest busts. — Omar Kelly august 6, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 The stock has been volatile since its debut, first trading up 49% in a matter of days, only to fall below the IPO price within just over a month. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 Take a look at what earnings per share has done (orange line) since the last time Incyte traded up here. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trade up

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of trade up was in 1905

Rhymes for trade up

See All Rhymes for trade up

Browse Nearby Words

trade unionist
trade up
tradevman
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Cite this Entry

“Trade up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trade%20up. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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