upend

verb

ˌəp-ˈend How to pronounce upend (audio)
Definition of upendnext
1
as in to defeat
to achieve a victory over the team won the division play-offs, but was upended in the final championship game

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to erect
to fix in an upright position we had to upend the sofa in order to fit it into the elevator

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of upend Viticulturists and researchers have been sounding the alarm about a changing climate’s potential to upend this signature state industry for decades. — Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 Meanwhile, the 2021 Surfside condo collapse upended economic life for many South Florida condo owners. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026 His tenure was upended by the arrest of Aldrich Ames, a CIA traitor. — Bob Drogin, Washington Post, 22 July 2026 Those responses have helped Flower find a new sense of purpose in an experience that once upended every aspect of her life. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for upend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upend
  1. defeat
  2. erect
  3. overcome
  4. raise
  5. master
  6. take
  7. beat
  8. conquer
Verb
  • The defending men’s singles champion is Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, who defeated Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the gold medal match in 2024; the defending women’s champion is China’s Zheng Qinwen, who defeated Croatia’s Donna Vekić.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Drones alone cannot defeat the Russian army, and the culture of Silicon Valley cannot supplant the need for military discipline, Syrsky argued in a column for Militarnyi, a Ukrainian publication focused on defense.
    — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • The long-term goal — again, depending on funding — would be to erect as many as 400 affordable duplexes on some of the many vacant lots held by the Kansas City Missouri Homesteading Authority and the Kansas City Land Bank.
    — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • While wide hips were considered a problem area not so long ago, designers are now erecting a sort of fashion monument to them—as a symbol of sensuality, strength, and self-determination.
    — Kelly Niesen, Glamour, 24 July 2026
Definition of erect
Verb
  • The team overcame significant injuries to finish 12-5 last season and win a playoff game as Shanahan finished fifth in voting for NFL Coach of the Year.
    — Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
  • For example, while Messi may be today’s superstar, he was overcome by a coordinated system; so investing in the organization is critical.
    — Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • The Athletic put the points raised in this article to United.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • State workers used the forum to raise $9,000 in under three weeks for an Interstate 80 billboard protesting the RTO order.
    — Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of raise
Verb
  • The warrior who masters these qualities can recognize openings others miss and act without hesitation.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Engelbert might never master how to effectively dap and tuck it in like NBA commissioner Adam Silver expertly knows how to greet his players.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of master
Verb
  • Pimpton may have the inside track to start after taking most of the first team reps in spring camp.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
  • Kansas’ three Democratic governor hopefuls dug in on the issues and took shots at each other’s integrity and effectiveness in an hourlong Tuesday-evening television debate hosted by Topeka’s WIBW.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
Definition of take
Verb
  • Add flour mixture to butter mixture; beat on low speed until just combined.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 26 July 2026
  • Some may point to the fact that the man who beat Pogacar in 2022 and 2023, Danish racer Jonas Vingegaard, broke his collarbone in a crash in stage 15, which helped clear the way for the Slovenian to be first in Paris this year.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 26 July 2026
Definition of beat
Verb
  • The single is Swift’s first Oscar-eligible movie song to conquer the Billboard Hot 100.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Sauron’s armies have marched across the whole of the world, conquering all in their path.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2026
Definition of conquer

Browse Nearby Words

updos
upend
upended
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Cite this Entry

“Upend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upend. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of upend for Spanish Speakers

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