upend

verb

up·​end ˌəp-ˈend 

upended; upending; upends

transitive verb

1

: to set or stand on end

also : overturn sense 1

2

a

: to affect to the point of being upset or flurried

a … literary shocker, designed to upend the credulous matrons

—Wolcott Gibbs

b

: defeat, beat

intransitive verb

: to rise on an end

Synonyms

• beat
• best
• conquer
• defeat
• dispatch
• do down [British]
• get
• get around
• lick
• master
• overbear
• overcome
• overmatch
• prevail (over)
• skunk
• stop
• subdue
• surmount
• take
• trim
• triumph (over)
• win (against)
• worst

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

Which is to say that America’s most prominent vaccine skeptic could have the power to upend, derail, or otherwise louse up a cornerstone of public health. —Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024

The decision comes as streaming has upended entertainment, eroding the reach of linear television. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024

By Amy Hansen, The Fresh Toast Tobacco has long been an economic giant…but is cannabis upending the system? —Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024

Don't miss these Industry groups say losing immigrant workers could upend the dairy sector and nearly double milk prices, Rick Barrett reports. —Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 18 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

upend

verb

up·​end ˌə-ˈpend 

: to set, stand, or rise on end