upend

verb

up·​end ˌəp-ˈend 

upended; upending; upends

transitive verb

1

: to set or stand on end

also : overturn sense 1

2

a

: to affect to the point of being upset or flurried

a … literary shocker, designed to upend the credulous matrons

—Wolcott Gibbs

b

: defeat, beat

intransitive verb

: to rise on an end

Synonyms

• beat
• best
• conquer
• defeat
• dispatch
• do down [British]
• get
• get around
• lick
• master
• overbear
• overcome
• overmatch
• prevail (over)
• skunk
• stop
• subdue
• surmount
• take
• trim
• triumph (over)
• win (against)
• worst

Examples of upend in a Sentence

He upended the bicycle to fix its flat tire.

I upended the bucket to use as a stool.

The security inspector upended my bag and dumped everything out.

A giant wave upended the surfers.

The midfielder was upended before he got the ball.

Recent Examples on the Web

The ongoing search antitrust case threatens to upend Google's dominance, giving smaller players a chance to thrive and possibly wiping others out. —Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025

Before long, his life is plagued by a series of mysterious, sinister incidents that threaten to upend his success and bring about a most violent demise. —Sara Merican, Deadline, 29 May 2025

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday the Trump administration is pushing ahead with its tariff agenda, despite the Court of International Trade’s ruling upending them. —Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

The ability could upend the crypto market, since the blockchain had been said to be virtually unhackable. —Ben Kesslen, Quartz, 27 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for upend

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend

Kids Definition

upend

verb

up·​end ˌə-ˈpend 

: to set, stand, or rise on end