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
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2026
Hearing the offscreen wails and whimpers of the dog Cady poisons is perhaps the most upsetting part of the ’62 Cape Fear.
—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Another breakout moment arrived the following year, when Andreeva advanced to the semis at the French Open after upsetting Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinal.
—
Vogue,
6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Adjective
These little monsters are cute in perhaps a beautifully upsetting way, which is just my kind of thing, honestly.
—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2026
Hearing the offscreen wails and whimpers of the dog Cady poisons is perhaps the most upsetting part of the ’62 Cape Fear.
—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
5 June 2026
Verb
Both were made to sit outside the gates, deeply upsetting the family who mourned within.
—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Another breakout moment arrived the following year, when Andreeva advanced to the semis at the French Open after upsetting Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinal.
—
Vogue,
6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upsetting
Adjective
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There were many disturbing parts of Kerstin’s story left unpursued.
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The film is a modern take on the creature horror film told from the perspective of a young boy who slowly begins to discover that his beloved parents are hiding a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature.
Verb
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So, even just the unusual presence of an aircraft in this area made this incident alarming for one resident, Anna, who spoke to CNN near the scene.
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At the same time, the state’s spending keeps growing quickly as well, alarming the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which advises the Legislature on fiscal matters.
Verb
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More than 160 years earlier, Galileo's telescopic observations had revealed mountains, valleys, and craters on the lunar surface, overturning the ancient notion that heavenly bodies were perfect spheres.
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The ruling is the latest in a series of Supreme Court decisions that have loosened campaign finance restrictions, overturning a 2001 precedent that upheld the spending limits.
Verb
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Researchers have identified hormone-disrupting and asthma-associated chemicals in some consumer products and continue to investigate combinations of chemicals that may warrant closer testing.
-
Its tendency to rapidly reproduce, forming dense colonies on underwater surfaces, can clog pipes, pumps and critical water infrastructure while disrupting local ecosystems.
Adjective
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After all, Against Nature is all about the unsettling atmosphere and the senses.
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Seeking a fresh start, Ellie moves into a house on Delaney Row hoping to leave her troubled past behind, only to discover that her new home is steeped in dark secrets and unsettling mysteries.
Verb
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Driving into the estate down a dirt track, you’re met with concrete walls that frame the space with gallery-like precision, directing your eyes toward geological features rather than distracting from them.
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There was some online angst over whether Swift was distracting from football — while the NFL itself capitalized on her fandom.
Verb
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The Frontex patrol boat sank off the tiny Greek island of Kastellorizo after capsizing, the coast guard said.
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Operators of another boat happened to be on the phone with the Coast Guard checking conditions in the inlet and reported the vessel, the Moonstruck, capsizing, according to The Coastland Times.
Verb
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One of the biggest mistakes students make is confusing a loan approval with an affordability recommendation.
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Meta’s new cloud business — selling excess compute capacity to outside customers — is confusing on its face.
Cite this Entry
“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upsetting. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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