oneupmanship
Always topping others
Oneupmanship is the practice of gaining or maintaining an advantage over others, especially through subtle competitive tactics.
The word suggests a game where each party tries to outdo the other in status, wit, or achievement: The dinner party descended into oneupmanship as each guest tried to name-drop more impressive connections.
Unlike outright rivalry, oneupmanship often operates through suggestion and implication rather than direct contest.
Excessive self-praise
- showing offOstentatious self-display
- swaggerConfident, boastful manner
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
- showboatingOstentatious self-display
gloating · smugness · self-satisfaction · name-dropping · humble-bragging · status-seeking · posturing · preening
Winning without cheating outright
- outdoExceed in achievement
- trumpSuit outranking all others
- surpassExceed in achievement
- outshineExceed in brilliance
eclipse · outperform · outdoing · besting · topping · one-upmanship · keeping score · outduel
Higher rank or quality
- alphaFirst Greek letter
- assertivenessConfident self-expression quality
- putting downCriticizing harshly or placing
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
snubbing · belittling · patronizing · power play · ego · arrogance · hubris · preeminence
Progressive increase in intensity
- tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
- keeping up with the JonesesStriving to match neighbors' lifestyle
- social climbingSeeking higher status
- jockeyingCompeting for advantage
sparring · feuding · needling · sibling rivalry · pecking order · positioning · maneuvering
bragging
Excessive self-praise
- showing offOstentatious self-display
- swaggerConfident, boastful manner
- grandstandingPerforming to impress onlookers
showboating · gloating · smugness · self-satisfaction · name-dropping · humble-bragging · status-seeking · posturing · preening · flaunting
gamesmanship
Winning without cheating outright
outshine · eclipse · outperform · outdoing · besting · topping · one-upmanship · keeping score · outduel · outclass
superiority
Higher rank or quality
- alphaFirst Greek letter
- assertivenessConfident self-expression quality
- putting downCriticizing harshly or placing
condescension · snubbing · belittling · patronizing · power play · ego · arrogance · hubris · preeminence · ascendancy
escalation
Progressive increase in intensity
- tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
- keeping up with the JonesesStriving to match neighbors' lifestyle
- social climbingSeeking higher status
jockeying · sparring · feuding · needling · sibling rivalry · pecking order · positioning · maneuvering
oneupmanshipsupportiveness
Readiness to help others
collaboration · cooperation · teamwork · mutual support · magnanimity
oneupmanshipgraciousness
Courteous, kind demeanor
good sportsmanship · magnanimity · sportsmanship · deference · self-deprecation
oneupmanshiphumility
Freedom from arrogance
modesty · self-effacement · unpretentiousness · unassumingness · self-deprecation
ship, mans, manned, manning, manliness, mannish, ships, shipped, shipping