upend

verb

up·​end ˌəp-ˈend How to pronounce upend (audio)
upended; upending; upends
Synonyms of upend

transitive verb

1
: to set or stand on end
also : overturn sense 1
upended the bucket to use as a stool
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 of upend

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By using humor to upend expectations about how women should behave. — Stephanie Vander Wel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026 This year marks a quarter-century since the hijacked plane attacks by al-Qaida militants that claimed nearly 3,000 lives in the three locations and upended American foreign policy and national security. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 West first teased the album in March 2020, initially targeting a summer release, just as the COVID-19 pandemic upended the music industry and the rhythms of live performance. — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The moms, dads, wives, husbands, daughters and sons whose lives were upended. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upend

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of upend was in 1823

Rhymes for upend

See All Rhymes for upend

Browse Nearby Words

updraw
upend
upeygan
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upend. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

upend

verb
up·​end ˌə-ˈpend How to pronounce upend (audio)
: to set, stand, or rise on end
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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