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
Sure enough, a big rock upended from beneath my toe and sent me lurching headlong to the water.
—
Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
But in one election, our state can be upended by the failed socialist policies that have wrecked other states.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The particular financial needs of a factory also upend business as usual for developers and real estate funders.
—Ben Christopher, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Shot in the Nir Oz kibbutz and the surrounding Negev desert, with Gaza lying just over the border, the movie chronicles the horrific aftermath of Oct 7th from the perspective of a filmmaker whose world was upended following Hamas’ attack.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upend
Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
But in one election, our state can be upended by the failed socialist policies that have wrecked other states.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The particular financial needs of a factory also upend business as usual for developers and real estate funders.
—Ben Christopher, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Shot in the Nir Oz kibbutz and the surrounding Negev desert, with Gaza lying just over the border, the movie chronicles the horrific aftermath of Oct 7th from the perspective of a filmmaker whose world was upended following Hamas’ attack.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upend
Verb
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The Magic rallied from 17 points down to win 120-117, but the Jazz defeated the Heat 115-111.—
Mark Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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The Cyclones, who are 13-0 at Hilton Coliseum this season, have defeated the Jayhawks three straight years in the building.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This approach still erects a financial barrier for the hundreds of thousands of San Diego County residents who have supported Balboa Park institutions for generations.—
Judy Gradwohl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Emergency-response teams quickly erected two tent camps in the neighborhood, giving local residents a place to warm up and charge their phones.—
Michael Holtz,
New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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France’s Eric Perrot overcame a wobble on the final shoot and a late surge from Norway’s Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen to win a sensational first men’s relay gold medal for his country today.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 Feb. 2026
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While most fungal attempts at infection fail, a small number do succeed thanks to the constant evolutionary pressure on pathogens to overcome host plant defenses.—
Lily Peck,
The Conversation,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The health care company also raised its forecast range for profit this fiscal year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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In the wake of Bad Bunny's halftime show selection in September, many critics raised concerns about a potential language barrier for English-language viewers.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Liu skated on, mastering her jumps and repeating as national champion in 2020, though age restrictions prevented her from entering international competitions.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
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Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan Amy Tan has mastered the art of mother-daughter literature.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many have been separated from their parents and caregivers facing detention or deportation, or stayed with them but were taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, like Liam Conejo Ramos.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Shooting inside nightclub As of Monday afternoon, no suspect had been taken into custody in the shooting.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Liam Gagne recorded 24 saves and Billerica rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat Milton 3-2 in the first round of the Irish American Shootout.—
Kristina Banahan,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
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Skincare delivered €551 million in sales and represented 11% of the group’s full-year revenue, beating market expectations.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Her victory continues the comeback theme – a narrative of paths conquered, attempted, thwarted and ongoing – that has come to define the alpine women skiers of these 2026 Games.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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Basically, look for a design that looks like as though was made for walking in the Mediterranean, but also for conquering the city streets.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Upend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upend. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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