1
as in defeating
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 erecting
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 upending
The climate crisis and consolidation of seed production under a few large corporations compounds the problem, upending farmers’ ability to grow food.
—
Lila Hempel-Edgers, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
The southern Niger Delta region — the main production hub in Africa’s top crude oil exporter — has been hit by spills in recent decades, upending livelihoods that depend on farming and fishing.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Those low-fare carriers had another problem when wages went up in the wake of the pandemic, upending their low-cost model.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
Climate change’s impact on rainfall and temperature is also upending estimates of how much electricity hydropower dams across the region can produce.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Aug. 2025
Last week, a federal court struck down the Federal Reserve’s Regulation II debit interchange fee cap, upending a framework that defined payment economics for more than a decade.
—Aj Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
At a time when minimalist zero-drop shoes were all the rage, the thick midsole of the Mafate was a maximalist rebuke, upending the trail running world with its rockered shape and bucket seat–like foot positioning.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 1 Aug. 2025
Instead of upending the social order, the Sardinian carnival seems to reinforce it.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
At the sovereign level, however, Musk's antics risk upending the lives of millions.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
Lila Hempel-Edgers, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
The southern Niger Delta region — the main production hub in Africa’s top crude oil exporter — has been hit by spills in recent decades, upending livelihoods that depend on farming and fishing.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Those low-fare carriers had another problem when wages went up in the wake of the pandemic, upending their low-cost model.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
Climate change’s impact on rainfall and temperature is also upending estimates of how much electricity hydropower dams across the region can produce.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Aug. 2025
Last week, a federal court struck down the Federal Reserve’s Regulation II debit interchange fee cap, upending a framework that defined payment economics for more than a decade.
—Aj Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
At a time when minimalist zero-drop shoes were all the rage, the thick midsole of the Mafate was a maximalist rebuke, upending the trail running world with its rockered shape and bucket seat–like foot positioning.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 1 Aug. 2025
Instead of upending the social order, the Sardinian carnival seems to reinforce it.
—Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
At the sovereign level, however, Musk's antics risk upending the lives of millions.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upending
Verb
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Auburn opened the season by defeating visiting Baylor by two touchdowns, a good win to begin with and one that looks better after the Bears outlasted SMU.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz won his second US Open title, defeating Italian rival Jannik Sinner in four thrilling sets.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trained by his enslaver in bricklaying and carpentry, Moses became foreman of a building crew, erecting barns, homes, and warehouses across the South.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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With his business suffering from the bridge closing, Vishal Patel came up with the idea of erecting a sign on his cousin’s property that would advertise the Spring Hill Inn and Uno Pizzeria & Grill.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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He was reminded that his career had been shaped by overcoming doubts and slights going back to high school, when he was offered the same amount of Division I football scholarships that were offered to the average sportswriter who covers him.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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But by the end, in its rush, the movie still hasn’t quite come up with a point of view on whether McCartney really got over his bust-up with Lennon with a little help from his Wings friends, or whether forming a band was ultimately incidental to overcoming any lingering separation anxiety.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Since 1995, when Trevor’s twins Joshua and Samuel died in England, the Marlborough father has dedicated his life to raising funds to donate to special care baby units throughout the country.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
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This enclosed back segment of the property could work for raising chickens and other small farm animals —away from the main house.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Moving forward, mastering a personal podcast could replace soft-focus biographies or wonky books as a way for politicians to increase their profiles.—
David Bauder,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
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For wardrobe stylist Kathryne Cole, mastering the fit is key to styling wide-leg jeans for your body type.—
Jessie Quinn,
Flow Space,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Physio Ash Pracy departs while head of women’s physio Amy Cranston is also taking maternity leave on a temporary basis.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Kelce then helped the Chiefs by taking one for the team.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Jays spent much of their 2025 rise beating up on the Yankees, and three September games at Yankee Stadium presented a chance for one last jab.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Needless to say, beating the Jets was a good feeling for the 41-year-old signal caller.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This time, the character dispatching his foes with John Wick-like efficiency is Eagly, whom the bird-blind Fleury is utterly helpless against.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
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The plans reportedly involved several options, including dispatching a few thousand members of the Guard to Chicago as soon as September.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upending. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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