1
as in defeating
to achieve a victory over
the team won the division play-offs, but was upended in the final championship game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in erecting
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 upending
Instead of upending the social order, the Sardinian carnival seems to reinforce it.
—
Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
At the sovereign level, however, Musk's antics risk upending the lives of millions.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
Those challenges — some already successful, others to be determined Monday — have fueled suggestions there’s a broader shift afoot aimed at upending a seniority system that’s generally guided the Democrats’ panel picks in recent decades.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
The conceptual evolution is upending the old way of thinking, not just about entropy, but about the purpose of science and our role in the universe.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
Syria’s opposition forces are decentralized and made up of different ideologies, albeit united by a common goal of upending the Assad regime.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024
Mayan misadventures Trips have a way of upending family dynamics and hierarchies.
—Todd Miller, Contributor, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2024
On September 27, Israel killed Hezbollah’s long-time leader Nasrallah in a massive attack in the southern suburbs of Beirut, upending the truce talks.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
In the two months since the rules went into effect, companies across California and beyond have laid off employees and halted operations in the state — upending a market for hemp and CBD products that some economic research firms estimate generates more than $1 billion in annual revenues.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
At the sovereign level, however, Musk's antics risk upending the lives of millions.
—Felix Salmon, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
Those challenges — some already successful, others to be determined Monday — have fueled suggestions there’s a broader shift afoot aimed at upending a seniority system that’s generally guided the Democrats’ panel picks in recent decades.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
The conceptual evolution is upending the old way of thinking, not just about entropy, but about the purpose of science and our role in the universe.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
Syria’s opposition forces are decentralized and made up of different ideologies, albeit united by a common goal of upending the Assad regime.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024
Mayan misadventures Trips have a way of upending family dynamics and hierarchies.
—Todd Miller, Contributor, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2024
On September 27, Israel killed Hezbollah’s long-time leader Nasrallah in a massive attack in the southern suburbs of Beirut, upending the truce talks.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
In the two months since the rules went into effect, companies across California and beyond have laid off employees and halted operations in the state — upending a market for hemp and CBD products that some economic research firms estimate generates more than $1 billion in annual revenues.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upending
Verb
-
The administration accuses other countries of erecting unfair trade barriers to keep out American exports and using underhanded tactics to promote their own.—
Time,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
-
But then, signs went up in the park and other Manhattan plazas, warning that camping, erecting tents, lying down, sleeping bags and the placement of personal property on the ground were prohibited.—
Karsten Moran,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The biggest hurdle is raising the $160,000 needed to send 21 students and four chaperones across the Atlantic.—
La Risa R. Lynch,
Journal Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
The year also began with a strong El Niño event, which occurs when the ocean in the Eastern Pacific releases large amounts of heat to the atmosphere, raising global temperatures.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The unit uses tools that were once the preserve of the world’s top mastering houses and is inspired by the artistry of mastering engineers.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
-
From entry-level careers to the C-suite, mastering soft skills opens up leadership opportunities.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The Gators still easily picked up Todd Golden’s first NCAA tournament victory and the program’s first win in the Big Dance since beating Virginia Tech in 2021.—
Edgar Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Micron Technology — The semiconductor stock slid almost 4% despite beating Wall Street expectations for earnings in the fiscal second quarter and offering strong guidance.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Maryland men’s basketball cruised through its first-round NCAA Tournament matchup, dispatching Grand Canyon, 81-49.—
Bennett Conlin,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The Tigers had an even easier time, dispatching Alabama State 83-63.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Is there not a single executive somewhere at Netflix to greenlight a fresh retelling of the core Hanukkah story of pride, miracles, and determined guerilla warfare against a conquering despot?—
Gord Magill,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
-
Then English speakers began conquering Celtic, Native American, African, Australian and other peoples, pressuring or forcing them to give up their languages.—
Ross Perlin,
The Dial,
14 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Upending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upending. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share