1 upbeat | Definition of upbeat

upbeat

noun
up·​beat | \ ˈəp-ˌbēt How to pronounce upbeat (audio) \

Definition of upbeat

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an unaccented beat or portion of a beat in a musical measure specifically : the last beat of the measure
2 : an increase in activity or prosperity business that is on the upbeat

upbeat

adjective

Definition of upbeat (Entry 2 of 2)

: cheerful, optimistic I'm feeling upbeat today

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Synonyms & Antonyms for upbeat

Synonyms: Adjective

blithe, blithesome, bright, buoyant, canty [British dialect], cheerful, cheery, chipper, eupeptic, gay, gladsome, lightsome, sunny, winsome

Antonyms: Adjective

dour, gloomy, glum, morose, saturnine, sulky, sullen

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Examples of upbeat in a Sentence

Adjective

I like a story with an upbeat ending. I tried to stay upbeat about losing the election.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Baltz was an upbeat, friendly student who went through life with joy, said Michael Pierce, the director of enology and viticulture at the Southwest Wine Center. — CBS News, "What we know about the California boat fire victims," 6 Sep. 2019 More Stories In the episode, Ashley O is a popular entertainer who sings upbeat, empowering lyrics aimed at young female fans. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Black Mirror’s Miley Cyrus Episode Isn’t That Far-Fetched," 6 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'upbeat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of upbeat

Noun

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1947, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for upbeat

upbeat

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of upbeat

: positive and cheerful : happy and hopeful

upbeat

noun
up·​beat | \ ˈəp-ˌbēt How to pronounce upbeat (audio) \

Kids Definition of upbeat

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a beat in music that is not accented and especially one just before a downbeat

upbeat

adjective

Kids Definition of upbeat (Entry 2 of 2)

: cheerful and positive an upbeat story

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More from Merriam-Webster on upbeat

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with upbeat

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for upbeat

Nglish: Translation of upbeat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of upbeat for Arabic Speakers

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