UPEND Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

upend

verb

ˌəp-ˈend

Definition of upend

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of upend If American prosecutors file charges, the extradition process could be upended. — Bill Chappell, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026 Just as the country begins to find a fragile peace, a fresh threat emerges to upend it. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 Some economies will be affected more than others, which could upend even the Gulf states’ traditionally stable politics. — Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026 The new term appears to hit a nerve, particularly among developers, who’ve seen the industry upended by the advent of powerful AI-powered coding software. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upend

Verb

Taylor pitched a career-high 2 2/3 scoreless relief innings and was credited with the win as the Sox defeated the Twins 7-4 in front of 28,140.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
The Senate Leadership Fund, a political committee controlled by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, has committed to spending $44 million in Georgia in hopes of defeating Ossoff.

— Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

The Coastal Commission signed off on the project a few years ago, after tussles over low-cost housing provisions during the course of erecting yet another luxury hotel.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
In 2021, Parton asked Tennessee lawmakers to withdraw a bill that would have allowed a statue of her to be erected on the grounds of the state Capitol.

— Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of erect

Verb

The Tar Heels’ ability to overcome some sloppiness — and, yes, take advantage of a slew of TCU mistakes — was a positive intangible sign after Belichick’s brutal debut season and offseason.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
But to overcome 30 years of Republican dominance, Talarico needs votes from everywhere.

— Eleanor Dearman Updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of overcome

Verb

The college apologized for concerns raised by the comments, and later Monday, EMCC announced Rice’s promotion.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The mere possibility of losing its critical space assets in a surprise attack could push the United States to use its forces early or to delegate launch authority in ways that raise the risk of an accident, to avoid the devastating consequences.

— Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

Rookies ultimately have to master such challenges as flight dynamics, parachute malfunctions, and landing in dangerous conditions.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
To be sure, successful leaders manage to master this self-presentational skill with the talent of great method-actors.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of master

Verb

She had been beaten and stabbed inside her home, and her body was then placed in the trunk of her car.

— Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
Tysie Gallagher, Terri Harper and Caroline Dubois beat Americans Brandi Robinson, Miranda Reyes and Amelia Moore, respectively, earlier in the night, while Reina Tellez defeated Jessica Barry for the United States’ only victory.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of beat

Verb

Then again, Bentley still knows a thing or two about racing, most recently conquering the challenging and prestigious Bathurst 12 Hours race in 2020 with a GT3 version of the Continental GT3.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
The ancient creature’s paddle-like abdominal limbs provide direct fossil evidence that insects conquered land through a prolonged semi-aquatic phase rather than an abrupt transition.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of conquer

Browse Nearby Words

updos

upend

upended

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Upend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upend. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of upend

verb

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