View synonyms for upend

upend

[ uhp-end ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to set on end, as a barrel or ship.
to affect drastically or radically, as tastes, opinions, reputations, or systems.
to defeat in competition, as in boxing or business.

upend

/ ʌpˈɛnd /

Origin of upend¹

First recorded in 1815–25; up- + end ¹

It is a revolutionary story, which threatens to upend the world as we know it.

It would inject a threat of accountability into power, and upend the impunity wartime leaders had operated under for years.

In August, Sen. Ted Cruz linked the need to upend the IRS to its abuse of power.

[S]omething larger is going on here, which could upend everything and produce unintended consequences.

The one event that could upend that is an encore from a passive, disengaged Obama.

It is safe, as we will never meet again, and all ideas of justice will upend in the coming cataclysm.

The log plunges after him, holding him down and back till he drowns; and his whereabouts are revealed by the upend of the tree.

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