upsetting
adjective
up·set·ting
(ˌ)əp-ˈse-tiŋ 
: mentally or emotionally troubling or disturbing : causing feelings of worry or anxiety
heard some upsetting news
an upsetting experience
We're up to [a deficit of] $1.5 trillion a year …. These numbers are truly upsetting.—
Bill Gates
Bill GatesProfessors issue, or students demand, trigger warnings when presenting material that might be upsetting to some: depictions of rape, sexism, racism, suicide.—Yvonne Abraham
Yvonne Abraham
upsettingly
adverb
an upsettingly graphic depiction of violence
In comparison to male historical figures, the number of women that we learn about throughout school is upsettingly low.
—Alexis Gardner
Alexis Gardner
Examples of upsetting in a Sentence
the constant arguing is upsetting to a sensitive person like your grandmother
Recent Examples on the Web
So many kids under age 13 already have phones, and this study is unlikely to result in parents taking their devices away, no matter how upsetting the findings may be.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 30 July 2025
In his thorough contempt for every trace of human decency, Hoult rivals the most upsetting versions of the Joker, implacably evil men who tap into prehistoric fears of the predator in the bushes.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 16 July 2025
But Howe prefers a 4-3-3 system and upsetting the midfield balance in particular would be a risky strategy.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Ultimately, their attempt still backfired, greatly upsetting both twins.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
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Melissa Willets, Parents, 30 July 2025
In his thorough contempt for every trace of human decency, Hoult rivals the most upsetting versions of the Joker, implacably evil men who tap into prehistoric fears of the predator in the bushes.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 16 July 2025
But Howe prefers a 4-3-3 system and upsetting the midfield balance in particular would be a risky strategy.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Ultimately, their attempt still backfired, greatly upsetting both twins.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Cite this Entry
“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upsetting. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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