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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
Real Sociedad has underperformed this season but is fully capable of pulling off the upset with a solid performance. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025 If a particular type of content leaves someone feeling anxious or upset, that’s a helpful signal to consume less of it and even block those who create that kind of online work. —Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
The Minutemen were just minutes away from upsetting the Gophers in regulation before Snuggerud delayed the party. —Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 Wake up call’: Democrat upsets Republican in state Senate race Robby Soave and Lynda Tran discuss how Democrats flipped a Senate seat in a special election in Pennsylvania. —The Hill, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
Eala opened the Miami Open with an upset of No. 73 Katie Voleynets, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) in the Round of 128. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025 This year's tournament is lacking in upsets Who comes out on top in the AL East? —Eric Samulski, NBC news, 26 Mar. 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
  • The patient’s toe had been amputated because of an infection causing unbearable pain and Dr Shaik, a neurology resident overseeing her care was worried.
    — Hansa Bhargava, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • As the Trump administration makes major cuts to federal health agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, some Alzheimer's experts are worried about research for the brain-impairing disease being halted, which could impact treatment options and the lives of patients and their families.
    — Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of worried
Verb
  • Musk ‘brand tornado crisis’ hits sales Analysts continue to worry that Musk’s actions elsewhere are hurting Tesla.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
  • That’s more than the average user would use, so don't worry about about hitting your allowances.
    — StackCommerce Team (Sponsored), PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of worry
Verb
  • He was released after a court overturned his 40-year sentence for the kidnapping and killing of Camarena.
    — Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The decision overturned a lower court ruling that had required their reinstatement, supporting Trump's efforts to downsize the federal workforce.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of overturn
Verb
  • Shearing emphasized that there are no true winners in a tariff war, as higher prices harm consumers and disrupt global supply chains.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Behind the scenes there was no doubt other dreams were dashed and processes disrupted.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of disrupt
Noun
  • But the reality seems to be that Trump caved in the face of alarming disruptions in the huge market for U.S. Treasury bonds, which the American government uses to finance itself.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
  • However, Venezuelan advocates recommend re-registering as soon as possible to avoid any potential disruptions in case an unfavorable ruling halts the registration process.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of disruption
Adjective
  • During her rehearsal, Windsor was visibly nervous and explained that the song was a risk.
    — Daniela Avila, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • People get nervous, especially when a show is so popular.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of nervous
Verb
  • The Indian Ocean is visible through the gardens’ palms, but beach access from the villas is purposefully obstructed—the resort’s way of making sure not to disturb the nearly 300 sea turtle nests lining the shore.
    — Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The medical team wheels the body out of the cabin under a curtain on a room service trolley so as not to disturb the passengers, then uses the flower shop walk-in freezer as a morgue.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • In November 2024, a tourist boat capsized off Egypt's coast, killing four people.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • After a boat carrying eight passengers capsized in Florida, one person was found dead and four were taken to safety.
    — Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of capsize

Browse Nearby Words

upscale
upset
upsets
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Cite this Entry

“Upset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upset. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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