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upper

upper

6 8.8
A drug that makes you feel more awake and less hungry
  • noun
  • /ˈʌpər/
  • Slang
translation icon : estimulante
  • He used to take a lot of red wine and uppers, and just sail away.
  • take uppers
  • uppers and downers
  • pills and uppers

They had some people in the they had some people, I think that was on uppers.

Examples

  • I took a couple of uppers.

  • Are you on some uppers or something?

  • I cannot see people taking it unless it is prescribed because it is considered an upper on the streets.

    Blog text (22)
  • Then a couple of uppers so he can face the journey.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Do you think she can get me some speed or some uppers?

  • Dylan is high on uppers.

    Blog text (24)
  • While urban youth may use drugs for partying, long-haul drivers oftentimes need uppers to help stay awake.

    Blog text (30)
  • Third, because prescription drugs were an important focus of this study, several general terms that informants provided that referred to these types of drugs, such as muscle relaxers and uppers, were also included.

    Academic text (2006)
  • In general, the psychopharmaceutics industry is better at calming people down than at cheering them up; anyone involved in the dispensation of their products can tell you that, as a rule, the downers work and the uppers don't.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Many people have turned to uppers to battle their depression and increase their energy levels.

Synonyms

speed
vsupper
  • NSFW
64 8.2

An illegal drug that makes you more awake and less hungry

is the neutral medical category rather than an illicit or street name
amphetamine
vsupper
  • NSFW
30 7.2

A drug made by people that speeds up the brain, treats ADHD and narcolepsy, and is sometimes misused

is the general name for such drugs rather than a specific chemical
stimulant drug
vsupper
  • Specialized
1 4.5

A drug that makes the body or mind more active for a short time

is the narrower term for central nervous system drugs used medically
picker-upper
vsupper
  • Informal
1 6.6

Something that makes you feel happier and more energetic

is limited to drugs that increase energy and stimulate the nervous system
pep pill
vsupper
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A pill that makes you more alert and less tired

is the broader drug category rather than only pill form

Antonyms

downer
  • NSFW
8 8.1

A drug that makes you feel calm and less excited

Idioms

Ability to stay calm and not show feelings in hard times

To keep an advantage or control over others

Compounds

upper hand
  • Informal
54 3.2

A position giving power or advantage over someone in a situation

Having higher than average income, education, and social position among the middle class

15 3.4

A social group with the most money and power

11 4.3

Belonging to the richest and most powerful people in society

fixer-upper
  • Informal
11 4.5

A house or other home that needs repairs and is sold for a low price

9 3.4

A higher level on a ship or in a stadium where people sit

7 3.2

The highest allowed amount or value of something

upper crust
  • Informal
5 6.8

A small group of the richest and most important people in society

4 4.6

A part of an organization that is at a higher position

upper bound
  • Specialized
3 7.2

A number that is as big as or bigger than every number in a set

3 3.3

A sickness that affects the nose, throat, or sinuses

2 2.8

The top part of the jaw that holds the upper teeth

The peninsula in the northwestern part of Michigan between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan

The top side of an object that you can touch or see

Upper Paleolithic
  • Specialized
1 9.8

The late part of the Stone Age when only modern humans lived, ending about 10,000 BC

picker-upper
  • Informal
1 6.6

Something that makes you feel happier and more energetic

The highest seats in a theatre, far from the stage

1 6.8

A higher bed on a train or ship

1 4.4

The southern part of Egypt from south of Cairo to the Sudan border

The bone at the top of the mouth that holds the upper teeth and joins the skull

1 4.1

The part of the breathing system that includes the nose, throat, and windpipe

A large letter that begins names and sentences

filler-upper
  • Informal
8.4

A person who gives more drinks or a quick snack that makes you less hungry for a short time

maker-upper
  • Offensive
9.7

A person who tells lies to trick or amuse people

A river in central England flowing through Stratford-on-Avon to join the River Severn

A river in central England that flows through Stratford-on-Avon and joins the River Severn

upper cannon
  • Archaic
9.9

A piece of metal armor that covers the upper arm above the elbow

Upper Carboniferous
  • Specialized
9.9

A late part of Earth's history 310 to 280 million years ago with swamp forests that formed coal

9.9

A time about 310 to 280 million years ago with warm swampy land where much coal formed

upper mantle
  • Specialized
6.7

A layer of rock under Earth's crust that slowly flows

The top surface of an object that faces up

A former administrative region in northern France covering the northeast of Normandy

A peninsula between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan with forests, lakes, and small towns

A person or family in the higher part of the lower social class

7.0

A person who washes dishes after a meal

Surface Forms

upper singular
uppers plural

Morphology

upper = upper (semi-transparent) = up + er

The adjective 'upper' is a regular transparent formation from 'up' + '-er', and the noun is formed by conversion from that adjective.

Etymology

Upper comes from the idea of up, which we use to mean 'more active' or 'awake'. A drug called an upper makes a person feel more energetic and awake, so the name links directly to that 'up' feeling.