upset 1 of 3

adjective

(ˌ)əp-ˈset How to pronounce upset (audio)
Definition of upsetnext
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty she was upset by the unexplained change in plans

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

upset

2 of 3

verb

(ˌ)əp-ˈset How to pronounce upset (audio)
1
as in to worry
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy the smallest things can upset us if we're already stressed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to overturn
to turn on one's side or upside down the narrow boat upsets easily and should be handled with care

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3
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of the change in the bus schedule upset our daily routine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

upset

3 of 3

noun

ˈəp-ˌset How to pronounce upset (audio)
as in disruption
an act or instance of the order of things being disturbed the move to a new town is just the latest in a series of upsets for my family over the last year

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an upset child
an unhappy child
an agitated child
an emotional child
a distraught child
a perturbed child
upset customers
unhappy customers
displeased customers
unsatisfied customers
outraged customers
angry customers
an upset stomach
a sour stomach
an irritable stomach
an unsettled stomach
an uneasy stomach
a sick stomach

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb upset contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of upset are agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, fluster, and perturb. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

When is it sensible to use agitate instead of upset?

While the synonyms agitate and upset are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

In what contexts can discompose take the place of upset?

Although the words discompose and upset have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When can disquiet be used instead of upset?

The synonyms disquiet and upset are sometimes interchangeable, but disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

When might disturb be a better fit than upset?

In some situations, the words disturb and upset are roughly equivalent. However, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

When could fluster be used to replace upset?

The words fluster and upset are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When would perturb be a good substitute for upset?

The meanings of perturb and upset largely overlap; however, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of upset
Adjective
In the first weeks of starting the keto diet, symptoms like fatigue, dehydration, and upset stomach may occur due to the sudden, drastic diet changes. —Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2025 Timothée Chalamet pulled an upset win for Outstanding Male Actor for A Complete Unknown and Conclave shocked as well with an Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture win at the 2025 SAG Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles. —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
The 2022 Oscars became a historic event for all the wrong reasons when Will Smith, upset by a joke Rock made about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, walked onto the stage and slapped the comedian. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 4 Mar. 2025 During the town hall, the GOP lawmaker mentioned DOGE and was met with a wave of backlash from furious constituents who appeared to be upset with the cuts. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
Down 37-25 at the half, Indiana completely flipped the game by attacking the interior and rolling 73-58 — a valuable upset that puts Woodson’s last IU team (16-11, 7-9 Big Ten) right on the NCAA Tournament bubble. —Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025 There were four top-10 upsets last week, which will likely lead to major shakeups in bracket projections over the coming days. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for upset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset
  1. worried
  2. worry
  3. overturn
  4. disrupt
  5. disruption
  6. nervous
  7. disturb
  8. capsize
Adjective
  • In my neighborhood, people are worried about rising costs of everything.
    — Robin Holmes, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Safety concerns Residents were also worried about the safety of the gravel roads for horses.
    — Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of worried
Verb
  • The young centre barely had time to worry about making a first impression on his new team: The Senators hosted the Rangers at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
    — Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 9 Mar. 2025
  • How to Get Around With most of Grenada's hotels and resorts clustered around areas like Grand Anse Beach and St. George's, many visitors won't need to worry about transportation for most of their trip.
    — Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of worry
Verb
  • According to the appeal, Sergio Correa is seeking for his conviction to be overturned and a new trial.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Utley was suspended two games by MLB, but the suspension was overturned.
    — Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of overturn
Verb
  • Early on, Democratic Representative Al Green was escorted out of the House chamber after disrupting Trump’s speech by shouting and shaking his cane in the air.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The right-wing House Freedom Caucus on Tuesday issued a threat to try to censure any Democratic lawmakers or guests who disrupt President Trump's speech to Congress.
    — Andrew Solender, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of disrupt
Noun
  • This domestic focus can be a significant advantage during a trade war, as these companies are less exposed to the crossfire of tariffs, retaliatory measures and disruptions in global trade.
    — Ivan Illan, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Supply chain disruptions will likely increase lead times for vehicle production and delivery.
    — Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of disruption
Adjective
  • Some Trump advisers were nervous the deal might go south before the ceremonial signing, but felt confident by the time Mr. Trump greeted Zelenskyy.
    — Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2025
  • At the premiere of that film, Brothers At War, in 2009, Joe was nervous.
    — Eileen Finan, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of nervous
Verb
  • Stay on marked trails, pack all your trash, and respect wildlife (do not feed or disturb them).
    — Emese Maczko, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
  • In his State of the State speech Wednesday, Pritzker argued the current moment has disturbing parallels to the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany.
    — Alex Thompson, Axios, 21 Feb. 2025
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • Francis Marmolejos, 37, of Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, was among the six friends aboard a 30-foot fishing boat that capsized in Ambrose Channel Sunday after beginning to take on water near Breezy Point.
    — Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The Coast Guard was working with New York City’s Fire and Police Departments to understand what caused the boat to capsize.
    — Ellen Yan, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of capsize

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Cite this Entry

“Upset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upset. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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