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

As lawmakers and top officials at the federal and state levels attempt to shift blame, the shutdown is poised to upend social services across the country. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025

At stake is whether Congress will move forward with a vote that advocates say is crucial for transparency—and opponents warn could upend ongoing investigations. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

The premiere ends with a shocking bit of violence that upends the way the two movies unfolded — purposely, IT filmmakers Andy and Barbara Muschietti told The Hollywood Reporter (spoilers contained in that link). —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025

In one of her more soapy, theatrical moments, Janssen's Betty arrives by boat to the Amsterdam Music Awards to upend a big work moment for her ex's new lover. —Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 30 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