upend

[uhp-end]

verb (used with object)

1. to set on end, as a barrel or ship.

2. to affect drastically or radically, as tastes, opinions, reputations, or systems.

3. to defeat in competition, as in boxing or business.

verb (used without object)

1. to become upended.

2. to place the body back-end up, as a dabbling duck.

upend

/ ʌpˈɛnd /

verb

1. to turn or set or become turned or set on end

2. (tr) to affect or upset drastically

Word History and Origins

Origin of upend¹

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

Example Sentences

Such a ruling would also upend the Voting Rights Act as it had been understood since the 1980s.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Hegseth’s changes have upended eight decades of norms and practices between the military and journalists, and buck over two centuries of American freedom of the press.

Read more on Salon

The decision would upend decades of precedent for Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

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Greer noted a willingness from his Chinese counterparts to talk to defuse the tensions that upended a fragile detente between the two rivals.

Read more on Barron's

In local politics, politics in the nations and at the UK level, conventions continue to be upended in multiple directions.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• abolish 
• conquer 
• crush 
• depose 
• dethrone 
• eradicate 
• oust 
• overcome 
• overrun 
• overturn 
• put an end to 
• raze 
• subdue 
• subvert 
• topple 
• unseat 
• vanquish