upend

verb

up·end ˌəp-ˈend

upended; upending; upends

Synonyms of upend next

transitive verb

: to set or stand on end

also : overturn sense 1

: to affect to the point of being upset or flurried

a … literary shocker, designed to upend the credulous matrons—

Wolcott Gibbs

: defeat, beat

intransitive verb

: to rise on an end

Examples of upend in a Sentence

He upended the bicycle to fix its flat tire. I upended the bucket to use as a stool. The security inspector upended my bag and dumped everything out. A giant wave upended the surfers. The midfielder was upended before he got the ball.

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.

In a home for pregnant young women in 1970 Florida, a book on witchcraft upends lives. —

The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2025 But what is clear is that tariffs could upend the production of vehicles across the continent and put the price of cars, already near record highs, out of reach for many buyers. —

Chris Isidore, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025 Trump's 2017 trip to Saudi Arabia upended a tradition of U.S. presidents first heading to the United Kingdom as their first trip abroad. —

Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 24 Jan. 2025 By targeting America’s second largest trading partner after Mexico, Trump risks upending the markets for autos, lumber and oil — all of which could carry over quickly to consumers. —

Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for upend