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upped

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈəpt// UK //ˈʌpt// upped

v. to increase the amount, level, or quality of something. You use this when you want to say someone made something bigger or better than it was before.

v. to increase the amount, intensity, or quality of something. Often used in the context of raising stakes, prices, or standards.


SIMPLE

The company upped the price of its coffee last week.

CONTEXTUAL

After seeing the competitor's new features, the tech firm upped its research budget to stay ahead.

COMPLEX

The director upped the tension in the final scene by removing the background music and focusing entirely on the actors' facial expressions.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. It is the past tense and past participle form of 'up'.

Pitfall

They upped to the priceThey upped the priceWhen used as a verb meaning to increase, it is transitive and should not be followed by the preposition 'to'.

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