as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
the constant arguing is upsetting to a sensitive person like your grandmother
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
the smallest things can upset us if we're already stressed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overturning
to turn on one's side or upside down
the narrow boat upsets easily and should be handled with care
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disrupting
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
the change in the bus schedule upset our daily routine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of upsetting
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Even writing that sentence is still very upsetting to me.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Figueroa immediately informed Oduko's brother in Ghana, Shiva, of his arrest, and the siblings initially kept it from their mother, Rita, to avoid upsetting her.
—Janelle Griffith, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Adjective
The news of Broadbelt’s death was extremely upsetting and scary, Rhodriguez said.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Even writing that sentence is still very upsetting to me.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
Still, the visitors were the ones upsetting stomachs across Twins Territory with absurd mistakes on the base paths.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Figueroa immediately informed Oduko's brother in Ghana, Shiva, of his arrest, and the siblings initially kept it from their mother, Rita, to avoid upsetting her.
—Janelle Griffith, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upsetting
Adjective
-
That's depicted in a disturbing, if somewhat inscrutable, scene.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Possibly, something disturbing will occur because someone has decided to make emotional demands on you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The tackling was alarming enough that the Broncos were practicing on Monday with live tackles, something that’s not seen too often once the season starts.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Sep. 2025
-
The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Vail can once again prohibit delivery trucks from its pedestrian malls, a federal appeals court has ruled, overturning a Denver judge’s decision last year that put a stop to that ban.—
Justin Wingerter,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Adam Streisand, a lawyer for Rupert, used James’ cooperation for the story as ammunition for overturning the ruling and asking for a new trial.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, the president’s criticism of mail-in ballots could risk disrupting the inroads Republicans made with voters last cycle, with the party spending millions promoting mail-in ballots ahead of the 2024 election.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
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The limitations placed on these researchers is disrupting NASA’s work and could stymie the careers of younger Chinese researchers who came to the US to advance their scientific work, as well as benefit the space agency through their findings, the sources said.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In turn, chickens have become a powerful — if not somewhat unsettling — example of how acutely humans can dictate the evolutionary destiny of other species.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Having previously allowed Alessia Russo, Ona Batlle and Mary Earps to run their contracts into the final stages — a situation the club say was unsettling for the squad — United were determined not to make the same error.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This combination lends itself to transitions from focus to out of focus and background blur (bokeh) that's smooth and free of distracting elements.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In class, Danny continues to be disorderly, challenging Maria’s authority, throwing stuff when angry, completely distracting and even frightening the other students.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Since its creation in 2007, only about 2% of applicants had successfully received forgiveness before the pandemic, largely due to confusing eligibility rules and administrative mismanagement.—
Leadership Brainery,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Beneficiaries would have to verify their own identities by using an often-confusing web portal or by traveling to a field office to do it in person.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In Wind River, the investigation into Natalie's death is hindered by a troubling legal gap.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In addition—and even more troubling—there remains a question of what this means for the work environment at the DOJ.—
Andrew Binns,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upsetting. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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