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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of upend
Using almost exclusively English-language sources plus interviews (including with Empress Farah, who is still living), Anderson reconstructs the bumblings that upended Iran.
—
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
At a Fountain Square town hall July 28, Indianapolis leaders outlined a new program that would upend the city's status quo when shutting down homeless camps, pairing methodical closures with a year of rental assistance for all unsheltered residents.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 31 July 2025
The funding freeze was set to upend the upcoming school year as districts had already budgeted the federal money and hired employees.
—Denver Post, 26 July 2025
However, between Marfa and Denton, a phone call upended his travel plans and his life.
—Aaron Sullivan, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for upend
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
At a Fountain Square town hall July 28, Indianapolis leaders outlined a new program that would upend the city's status quo when shutting down homeless camps, pairing methodical closures with a year of rental assistance for all unsheltered residents.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 31 July 2025
The funding freeze was set to upend the upcoming school year as districts had already budgeted the federal money and hired employees.
—Denver Post, 26 July 2025
However, between Marfa and Denton, a phone call upended his travel plans and his life.
—Aaron Sullivan, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for upend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upend
Verb
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Kinloch closely defeated former THAW CEO Saunteel Jenkins in the city's Aug. 5 primary to advance in the race, according to unofficial vote results on the city's website.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The Minutemen lost to East Carolina in the 1964 Tangerine Bowl in Orlando and defeated UC-Davis in the 1972 Boardwalk Bowl in Atlantic City.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Haleiwa Hotel was erected at the mouth of the Anahulu River in 1899 and stood there for 44 years, in stark contrast to its rural surroundings.—
Paula Conway,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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The original bronze statue—the first in the world—was erected in 1980 at the same location but was moved indoors in 1996 to the downtown Memphis Tennessee State Welcome Center to protect it from the elements and over-adoring fans.—
Korrin Bishop,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Padres are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to overcome the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League west.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Whether they’re equipped to overcome them is a legitimate question.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Utility officials opened a dam and released 4 billion gallons of water to raise the river's level.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Indiana Democrats are using Vice President J.D. Vance's visit to raise money ahead of a potential redistricting fight.—
Tony Cook,
IndyStar,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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First, find all of the pieces, then master the art of folding each one into a rectangle, leaving one pillowcase off to the side.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Aug. 2025
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What’s particularly telling is that this versatility has been mastered out of necessity for women athletes and teams.—
Lindsey Darvin,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Her love for journalism began with taking freelance sports photos for her local newspaper, The Fulton Sun, during high school, and her involvement with multiple school publications.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Aug. 2025
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But behind the brand deals, designer outfits and elaborate costumes, the process was taking a toll.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The set disappeared in a flash, against an opponent who had beaten her in straight sets in their previous meeting in Washington, D.C.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
7 Aug. 2025
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But with the growth, skill, and beat selection on he and Fortes’ project, the trajectory should only be going up.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Indeed, Trump, who typically blames Ukraine for having been invaded, configures Putin’s Russia as eager for peace, even though Moscow has spent the summer relentlessly attacking civilian targets in Ukraine and pushing to conquer more territory.—
MICHAEL KIMMAGE,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
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Mao Zedong is said to have suggested that anyone who couldn’t tolerate chiles couldn’t be a revolutionary; all over the world, and for centuries, spiciness has been something to conquer, and chiles have symbolized strength, bravery, national pride, and virility.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upend. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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