upend
verb (used with object)
to set on end, as a barrel or ship.
had upended
-
past perfectof upend.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Monarchy, he argued, had upended this natural order.
From Salon ● Jan. 10, 2026
President Carter’s Airline Deregulation Act had upended the industry’s economics.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2025
Cartiglia said tariffs had upended her retirement plans and left her with a business she couldn’t sell.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 28, 2025
The war that had upended life for two years and devastated Gaza appeared as though it would stop—at least for now.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2025
Now, if Torricelli had upended the tube in air, everyone would expect the mercury to run out, because it would quickly be replaced by air; no vacuum would be created.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
