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

The justices’ decision could upend decades of protection for gun ranges. —Christopher Spata, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026

Retailers say that, while there’s no imminent hunger crisis in the Gulf region, the conflict has upended sea freight. —Eleni Giokos, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026

Beer plays Laura, an aspiring pianist whose life is upended after miraculously surviving a car crash. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026

Livermore and Oakland reached 91 degrees, upending Livermore’s previous record of 90 set last year and Oakland’s previous record of 89 set earlier this week. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2026