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
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Recent Examples of upend
The underlying playbook is clear:... Post AI doesn’t need a sci-fi upgrade to upend the economy—current models, and the cheaper, more capable versions already in the pipeline, are set to disrupt nearly every corner of the labor market.
—
Christian Catalini, Harvard Business Review, 19 June 2025
The Gossip Girl alum, 39, joined the series as Nell, a newcomer to England whose arrival upends the lives of Nan (Kristine Frøseth) and Patti St. George (Christina Hendricks).
—Stacy Lambe, People.com, 18 June 2025
Further Reading Trump administration axes more than $125M in LGBTQ health funding, upending research field (NBC News)
Got a tip?
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
The inventor of a device that allows the cleaning of antique watches says Trump’s tariffs on China have upended his business.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for upend
Christian Catalini, Harvard Business Review, 19 June 2025
The Gossip Girl alum, 39, joined the series as Nell, a newcomer to England whose arrival upends the lives of Nan (Kristine Frøseth) and Patti St. George (Christina Hendricks).
—Stacy Lambe, People.com, 18 June 2025
Further Reading Trump administration axes more than $125M in LGBTQ health funding, upending research field (NBC News)
Got a tip?
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
The inventor of a device that allows the cleaning of antique watches says Trump’s tariffs on China have upended his business.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for upend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upend
Verb
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This article gives her plenty of credit for defeating Sabalenka.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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Leon made the team, and Canada went on to defeat Sweden in penalty kicks for the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2025
Verb
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In addition to security, the state has enlisted the help of dozens of private companies to help erect a small grid of tents and trailers with on-site medical services, a kitchen and portable restrooms — where workers and detainees will be spending their days during the months ahead.—
Ana Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2025
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The eastern half of the park contains two structures erected in 1936: a statue of Civil War General Philip Sheridan, and a memorial flagstaff and plaque honoring Colonel Ephraim Elmer Ellsworth, an officer with the New York Fire Zouaves during the Civil War.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Advertisement Indiana tried its best to overcome heartbreak in Game 7: Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers’ star point guard who was playing with a calf strain in his right leg, suffered an achilles injury in the first quarter.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
23 June 2025
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The Thunder overcame two Game 7s en route to the title, and they will now forever be called champions.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Verb
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That raises real concerns about whether SGA and Co. can make the right plays against Indiana's defensive pressure in Game 7. Ironically, many expected this exact issue -- pressure defense forcing turnovers and leading to easy offense the other way -- to play a huge role in these Finals.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 June 2025
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Eight steel lifting straps were used to put the hull upright and to form part of a steel wire lifting system that began raising the vessel out of the water Saturday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 June 2025
Verb
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At the same time, niche and local players who master efficiency and identity—like Dragonfly and Goodlyfe—can still carve out major wins.—
Javier Hasse,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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Stylish outfit equations have never been easier to master.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Probably, they can be taken into account starting this month.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has taken the opposite approach in aiding Israel in a defensive capacity while considering launching offensive strikes against Tehran.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
19 June 2025
Verb
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In the semis, Parenteau turned back the clock and played a solid game to beat Buckner and return to the final for the first time in nearly a year.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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Almost daily, the news has stories and videos of people being robbed or beaten in Baltimore, shot and killed, or simply being harassed.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
23 June 2025
Verb
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In an improbable turn of events on the back nine on Sunday, JJ Spaun conquered Oakmont to win the U.S. Open by two shots over Robert MacIntyre.—
Troy Finnegan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
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Something Beautiful Wins on Vinyl Something Beautiful does manage to conquer the Vinyl Albums chart, earning Cyrus her third winner on that format-specific list.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upend. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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