# upriver

/ˌəˈpɹɪvɝ/ (US) · /ˈʌpɹɪvɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/upriver
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

toward the part of a river that is farther from the sea, closer to where the river starts. You use it to talk about moving against the flow of the water.

For teachers: toward or at a point nearer to a river's source, against the direction of flow. Often contrasts with 'downriver' to indicate relative position along a watercourse.

## Examples

- They paddle upriver every morning to fish.
- The ferry carries supplies upriver to villages that trucks cannot reach in the rainy season.
- Industrial runoff discharged downriver rarely affects upriver communities, whose water remains clear despite development farther downstream.

## Synonyms

upstream

## Antonyms

downstream, downriver

## Usage notes

- Follows verbs of motion such as 'go', 'paddle', or 'travel'; contrasts with 'downriver'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.