What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
upending
Example
The toddler upended the bucket of toys on the floor. [upended: verb]
Example
The unexpected news upended their plans for the weekend. [upended: past tense]
Example
The revolution upended the political landscape of the country. [upended: past participle]
reverse
Example
The teacher asked the students to write the reverse of each word. [reverse: noun]
Example
The car reversed out of the parking space. [reversed: past tense]
Example
The medication can reverse the symptoms of the disease. [reverse: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reverse is more commonly used than upending in everyday language. Reverse is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while upending is less common and refers to a more drastic or extreme change.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between upending and reverse?
Both upending and reverse are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.