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

• defeat
• overcome
• master
• take
• beat
• worst
• conquer
• get
• best
• stop

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

Soon, Sigg was on the phone with Westminster Police, sharing with them the news that would upend her life –– and send her firstborn son to prison for the rest of his. —Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025

And a chance encounter with ICE in August landed Barojas Solano in detention for six weeks, upending his legal process and leaving them terrified that he could be detained again. —Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025

Sanders had an impressive preseason but an injury upended his chance at becoming QB2 behind Joe Flacco. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025

When a series of surprises and secrets threaten to upend everything, Cora meets Aaron, the only man who seems to get her. —Nora Dahlia, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for upend

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend

Kids Definition

upend

verb

up·​end ˌə-ˈpend 

: to set, stand, or rise on end