upend

verb

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

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

intransitive verb

: to rise on an end

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.
And prices rallied 24% in 2020 as the pandemic upended the global economic status quo. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026 That's due to concerns that AI tools will upend existing software tools and make higher spending riskier. Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026 The immigration operations have upended the Twin Cities and escalated protests, especially since the killing of protester Alex Pretti, the second fatal shooting by federal officers in Minneapolis. Steve Karnowski, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026 Though their status is protected for now, Haitian immigrants in Ohio fear their lives could be upended at any moment. Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 4 Feb. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upend. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

upend

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

More from Merriam-Webster on upend

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