UPSET Synonyms: 255 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

upset 1 of 3

adjective

(ˌ)əp-ˈset

Definition of upset next

as in worried

feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty she was upset by the unexplained change in plans

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

upset

2 of 3

verb

(ˌ)əp-ˈset

as in to worry

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

as in to overturn

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

as in to disrupt

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

upset

3 of 3

noun

ˈəp-ˌset

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

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

How does the verb upset contrast with its synonyms?

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

How does the verb upset contrast with its synonyms?

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

Expect the 6,100-person stadium to hit capacity in hopes of an Aggies upset and some revenge against a coach who almost led A&M to a national title then left for their rival. —

Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 9 Apr. 2026 Simply cooking the peppers well to break down the fibers further can help potentially reduce digestive upset. —

Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 8 Apr. 2026

Verb

Your body works harder to digest sugary drinks, slowing fluid absorption and potentially upsetting an already sensitive stomach. —

Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Apr. 2026 Some countries, like the Baltic nations, will be unwilling to upset Trump given their proximity to the war in Ukraine. —

Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026

Noun

Mamdani’s primary upset in June, 2025, marked a triumph for Van Auken’s electoral philosophy. —

Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026 The upset didn’t last — Very Cherry reclaimed the title in 2003 and has held it ever since, according to Jelly Belly. —

Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upset

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset

Adjective

Flock Safety has faced strong criticism, with many worried about the public's privacy and security moving forward.

— Heath Kalb, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Caroline never actually worried that Harry would cross a line with a patient.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026

Definition of worried

Browse Nearby Words

upscale

upset

upsets

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Style

“Upset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upset. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of upset

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Synonyms of upset

adjective

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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