Synonyms of upend

upend

verb

ˌəp-ˈend 

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

• defeat
• overcome
• master
• take
• beat
• worst
• conquer
• get
• best
• stop
• dispatch
• subdue
• surmount
• succeed
• prevail (over)
• win (against)
• lick
• triumph (over)
• get the better of
• overbear
• get around
• overmatch
• trim
• overwhelm
• sweep
• bury
• do down
• crush
• surpass
• annihilate
• finish
• flatten
• exceed
• upset
• skunk
• slaughter
• overthrow
• clobber
• better
• knock for a loop
• trounce
• unseat
• blow out
• break
• subjugate
• transcend
• excel
• vanquish
• rout
• score
• flourish
• blow away
• edge (out)
• whip
• overpower
• bomb
• cap
• top
• outdo
• thrash
• drub
• outstrip
• cream
• nose out
• outshine
• snow under
• outdistance
• wallop
• knock over
• skin
• pip
• smoke
• eclipse
• shellac
• overtop
• ace (out)
• wax
• outfight
• knock off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose (to)
• fall
• fail
• go down
• give up
• collapse
• fold
• go under
• wash out
• flunk
• flop

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

• erect
• raise
• lift
• rear
• hoist
• set up
• elevate
• put up
• pitch
• uphold
• upraise
• buttress
• brace
• support
• heighten
• up
• uplift
• shore (up)
• prop (up)
• boost
• hike
• heave
• crane
• heft
• perk (up)
• jack (up)
• pick up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flatten
• demolish
• level
• tear down
• raze
• knock down

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of upend

For the Brotherhood, Rabaa became the defining catastrophe of its post-2013 political memory, upending its organization, self-conception, and belief in its own permanence. — Abdelrahman Elgendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Soaring property prices have upended European politics from Portugal to Germany, with the issue rising to the top of voter worries in several countries as prices race ahead of incomes. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

The pandemic and the streaming wars upended moviegoing habits. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Atlanta’s rotation got upended during its three-game NL wild-card series win over the Philadelphia Phillies, with the Braves using ace Chris Sale in relief in the deciding game. — Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026