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

upset 1 of 3

adjective

(ˌ)əp-ˈset

Definition of upset

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

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

Norway pulled off a surprising upset against Brazil in the Round of 16, with Haaland scoring a pair of goals in the 79th and 90th minutes to seal a victory and send Norway to its first-ever quarterfinal. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2026 The Albiceleste went in search of the equalizer and Messi’s movement ramped up, cinching in the stranglehold on Egypt’s upset bid. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

Verb

As a 15-year-old, the American announced herself to the tennis world by upsetting five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams on her way to the fourth round. — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 Don’t be home to have to listen to any of the buzz that upsets you. — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

Noun

But before Gaethje pulled off one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history — and long before Gaethje emerged as a fan favorite — the Safford, Arizona, native grew up in a small mining town about two hours from the Mexican border. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 6 July 2026 King amongst those has been Cape Verde, with its heroic, defiant, gritty trip to the knockouts nearly paying off as the Tubarões Azuis almost produced one of the greatest upsets in sports history against defending World Cup champion Argentina. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for upset

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset

Adjective

The 18-year-old was sent to Adelanto ICE Detention Center in handcuffs, nearly a hundred miles away from his worried family members.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Holmes is worried about old shingles and tiles in construction material that could have asbestos leaking into the water supply.

— Mary Ella Hastings July 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026

Definition of worried

Verb

The shadow of the war will loom over the upcoming midterm elections in November – something Republicans have privately been worrying about for months amid growing voter discontent over the war.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
The idea has sparked debate, the sources said, with some officials worried that a pause would set back the department’s efforts to hire more police officers and replenish its dwindling ranks.

— Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of worry

Verb

Rampaging around towns on the Tasmanian coast, Neil has stolen hearts even as he has been spotted overturning road posts, ramming into cars, sleeping in residential areas and blocking traffic.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 8 July 2026
Footage from the scene indicated at least eight vehicles were involved, including several that sustained heavy damage, and one that overturned.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2026

Definition of overturn

Verb

Russian forces are countering Ukraine’s devastating drone attacks, which are aided by Starlink, by deploying powerful jamming devices to disrupt the satellite internet system.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 9 July 2026
Mikesell said the organization did not want to disrupt the experience of artists who had been selected and were expecting to live and work at the longtime residency.

— Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026

Definition of disrupt

Noun

While no one wants a bad night's sleep, most of us experience occasional sleep disruptions stemming from familiar culprits like late-night doomscrolling, too much caffeine, stress or an inconsistent bedtime routine.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026
And as more employers trim down their workforces in the name of AI efficiencies, entry-level roles are more vulnerable to disruption.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 7 July 2026

Definition of disruption

Adjective

The looming project was why Purohit was nervous to move her mother into Silverado last winter.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
For most of the last decade the threat argument was a transatlantic one, with a nervous eastern flank pulling against a distracted west.

— Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of nervous

Verb

The officer wrote that Gatz had been living in the area for several months and was disturbing the surrounding vegetation.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Platner has faced multiple allegations of reckless and drunken behavior and disturbing behavior toward women since launching his campaign in August.

— Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of disturb

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

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Synonyms of upset

adjective

verb

noun

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Synonyms of upset

adjective

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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