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.
Or maybe a trade up for Ohio State product Josh Simmons? About that possibility... 6. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025 In search of a franchise quarterback, the Eagles then traded up again a week before the draft, sending a haul of picks to the Cleveland Browns to move up to No. 2 for North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz. Joseph Person, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 The Giants’ ideal scenario to land Dart seemingly would be to use the No. 3 overall pick on Colorado receiver/corner Travis Hunter or Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, and then trade up into the first round from their No. 34 overall second-round pick for the Ole Miss QB. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025 Roseman had obtained the 10th pick via shrewd trades, then traded up one spot to get Carter. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trade up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trade%20up. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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