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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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
Magnesium may be best absorbed with food to reduce the risk of stomach upset. —Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2025 Instead, The Pitt rode its throwback procedural appeal to an upset victory that feels like the TV industry placing a vote for streaming shows that behave a bit more like the network dramas of old. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
Despite having Hunger Games‘ Francis Lawrence’s name on the pic as director, and rising genre scribe JT Mollner, the pic stars plenty of fresh faces and carries what looks to be an anti-military message in its trailers, which is bound to upset the middle of the country. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025 Grain prices have returned to normalcy after the pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war upset supply chains. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
There are a couple of reasons to believe Georgia Tech could pull the upset, starting with the Jackets' penchant for playing up to their competition the last few seasons. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025 However, the Tigers managed two top-10 upsets. —Brady Shanahan, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 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
  • Christel Geppert, 72, of Oakland Township Democrat Christel Geppert, a retiree, is worried for her grandchildren from Guatemala.
    — Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Critics of the move worried about how the fences cut off another point of personal access for the public to talk with lawmakers.
    — Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of worried
Verb
  • Coliseum officials did weigh the possibility of sidestepping the permitting issue altogether — or at least letting the purchasers worry about it.
    — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
  • As the respiratory virus season arrives, some still worry that so many statements and counter-statements about vaccines will ultimately create a chilling effect.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of worry
Verb
  • The outcomes for detainees who have been housed at the facility have taken on new significance after an appeals court overturned that earlier ruling, allowing the facility to resume operations.
    — Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Now 64, Hernandez had been serving his sentence until the recent appeals court decision overturning his conviction in July.
    — Adeola Adeosun Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of overturn
Verb
  • Additionally, pollution accumulation and vessel noise disrupt their echolocation abilities, making hunting increasingly difficult.
    — Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Free of sulfates, fragrances, and dyes, the Gentle Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner won’t disrupt your scalp’s barrier.
    — Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of disrupt
Noun
  • Desert Diamond Arena may confiscate items that could cause danger or disruption or are in breach of building policies.
    — Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 20 Sep. 2025
  • In any event, the disruption pushes you toward authenticity.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of disruption
Adjective
  • Nearly nine out of 10 institutional investors (89%) are nervous about investing in bitcoin due to its record-breaking growth, fearing losses from buying at all-time highs.
    — Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • One new attorney who joined his program started with little knowledge and was nervous about joining.
    — Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of nervous
Verb
  • If a person’s disability is disturbing or harming other residents, allowing that disturbance to continue could be an unreasonable accommodation and therefore not protected by Fair Housing laws.
    — Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
  • These events, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), can disturb GPS signals, threaten astronauts, damage satellites and in extreme cases, even knock out power grids on the ground.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • One day later, another incident occurred in the evening involving a whaleboat that caught fire and capsized near the province’s Lukolela territory, AP, Al Jazeera and Sky News said, citing Congo’s humanitarian affairs ministry.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Miami-Dade firefighters rescued four people from the ocean Sunday afternoon after their boat capsized, the department said.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 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 22 Sep. 2025.

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