one-ups
Beats at bragging
One-ups is the verb form of one-up, meaning to outdo or surpass someone, typically in a competitive or boastful way: She always one-ups my stories with something more dramatic.
The term evokes a back-and-forth escalation where each person tries to top the other.
One-upping often carries a negative connotation of petty rivalry or attention-seeking.
Ongoing contest between opponents
- outperformAchieve superior results
- surpassExceed in achievement
- bestHighest in quality
- defeatVictory over another
outshine · outdo · eclipse · top · beat · edge out · trump · exceed
Excessive self-praise
- gloatingSmug triumph display
- showing offOstentatious self-display
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
- smugnessExcessive pride in oneself
swagger · superiority · arrogance · conceit · vanity · egotism · self-satisfaction · pompous
rivalry
Ongoing contest between opponents
- outperformAchieve superior results
- surpassExceed in achievement
- bestHighest in quality
defeat · outshine · outdo · eclipse · top · beat · edge out · trump · exceed · overtake
bragging
Excessive self-praise
- gloatingSmug triumph display
- showing offOstentatious self-display
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
smugness · swagger · superiority · arrogance · conceit · vanity · egotism · self-satisfaction · pompous · vainglorious
one-upsbacks down
Withdraws from confrontation
capitulates · falls behind · gives way · acquiesces · takes a back seat
one-upscompliments
Expressions of admiration
celebrates · praises · supports · congratulates · uplifts
one-upsdefers
Postpones or yields
plays down · undersells · kowtows · grovels
one, up, ones, oneness, ups, upping, uppers, uppermost, one-up