upturn

[uhp-turn, uhp-turn, uhp-turn]

verb (used with object)

1. to turn up or over.

   The farmer upturned clumps of sod with his spade.

2. to cause disorder; upheave.

   The storm upturned the town.

3. to direct or turn upward.

   She upturned her face toward heaven and prayed.

verb (used without object)

1. to turn up or upward.

   Her eyes upturned to see his face.

noun

1. chaos or extreme disorder, as in society; an upheaval.

2. an upward turn, or a changing and rising movement, as in prices or business.

upturn

verb

1. to turn or cause to turn up, over, or upside down

2. (tr) to create disorder

3. (tr) to direct upwards

noun

1. an upward turn, trend, or improvement

2. an upheaval or commotion

Word History and Origins

Origin of upturn¹

1300–50; Middle English: to overturn; up-, turn

Example Sentences

For a program that has spent the best part of a century getting stomped on by the big bullies of the Southeastern Conference, it marks an unlikely upturn in fortunes.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

It could benefit from an upturn in the chemicals industry in the coming years.

Read more on Barron's

They were also bottom after five games last term, before an upturn in the second half of the campaign took them to safety.

Read more on BBC

Hamilton outqualified Leclerc for the first time since the British Grand Prix to underline an upturn in form in recent races, but was "ultimately disappointed" in the result.

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Each time there’s an upturn, it feels like it won’t last.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• recovery 
• upswing