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upset

verb up·set \ (ˌ)əp-ˈset \
|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Definition of upset

upset; upsetting
transitive verb
1 : to thicken and shorten (something, such as a heated bar of iron) by hammering on the end : swage
2 : to force out of the usual upright, level, or proper position : overturn
3 a : to trouble mentally or emotionally : disturb the poise of
  • the news upset me
b : to throw into disorder
c : invalidate
d : to defeat unexpectedly
  • was upset in the primary
4 : to cause a physical disorder in; specifically : to make somewhat ill
  • spicy food upsets my stomach
intransitive verb
: to become overturned
—

upsetter

noun
— upset the apple cart
: to disturb or overturn a natural or stable order

See upset defined for English-language learners

See upset defined for kids

Examples of upset in a Sentence

  1. That remark you made really upset me.

  2. Don't upset yourself over it.

  3. It upsets him that he can do nothing to help.

  4. A lot of people were upset by the court's decision.

  5. It upsets me to think I might never see him again.

  6. Spicy food upsets my stomach.

Recent Examples of upset from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'upset.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of upset

1677

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

upset Synonyms

Synonyms

agitate, ail, alarm (also alarum), bother, concern, derail, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distemper, distract, distress, disturb, exercise, flurry, frazzle, freak (out), fuss, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, weird out, worry;

Antonyms

calm, compose, quiet, settle, soothe, tranquilize (also tranquillize);

Near Antonyms

allay, alleviate, assuage;

appease, conciliate, mollify, pacify, placate, propitiate;

Related Words

aggravate, anger, annoy, bug, chafe, chivy (or chivvy), exasperate, fret, gall, get, grate, harass, harry, irk, irritate, nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put off, put out, rile, vex;

bedevil, haunt, plague;

abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, jar, mortify, nonplus, rattle, shake up;

daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit, unnerve;

Synonym Discussion of upset

discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, agitate, upset, fluster mean to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action. discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.
    • discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife
disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.
    • the disquieting news of factories closing
disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.
    • the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me
perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.
    • perturbed by her husband's strange behavior
agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.
    • in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work
upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.
    • the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child
fluster suggests bewildered agitation.
    • his declaration of love completely flustered her
2

upset

noun up·set \ ˈəp-ˌset \

Definition of upset

1 : an act of overturning : overturn
2 a (1) : an act of throwing into disorder : derangement
(2) : a state of disorder : confusion
b : an unexpected defeat
3 a : a minor physical disorder
  • a stomach upset
b : an emotional disturbance
  • went through a big upset after his father's death
4 a : a part of a rod (such as the head on a bolt) that is upset
b : the expansion of a bullet on striking

See upset defined for English-language learners

Examples of upset in a Sentence

  1. In a major upset, he took the gold medal.

  2. Her victory in the election was a big upset.

  3. Spicy foods can cause stomach upset.

  4. An emotional upset can affect your physical health.

  5. a period of emotional upset

Recent Examples of upset from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'upset.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of upset

1804

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

upset Synonyms

Synonyms

derangement, dislocation, disruption, disturbance;

Related Words

convulsion, revolution, unsettledness, unsettlement, upheaval;

3

upset

adjective up·set \ (ˌ)əp-ˈset \

Definition of upset

1 : emotionally disturbed or agitated
  • was too upset to speak to him
2 : affected with minor physicial disturbance or disorder
  • an upset stomach

See upset defined for English-language learners

Examples of upset in a Sentence

  1. I was feeling upset by the whole experience.

  2. There's no point in getting all upset about it.

  3. I try not to let her make me upset.

  4. She was too upset to speak to him.

  5. I'm upset that you didn't call.

  6. I was so upset with him, I didn't call him for two weeks.

Recent Examples of upset from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'upset.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of upset

1805

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

upset Synonyms

Synonyms

aflutter, antsy, anxious, dithery, edgy, het up, hung up, ill at ease, insecure, jittery, jumpy, nervous, nervy, perturbed, queasy (also queazy), tense, troubled, uneasy, unquiet, uptight, worried;

Antonyms

calm, collected, cool, easy, happy-go-lucky, nerveless, relaxed;

Near Antonyms

confident, self-assured, self-confident, sure;

controlled, self-controlled;

Related Words

aggrieved, bothered, concerned, disquieted, distraught, distressed, disturbed, freaked, freaked-out, shook-up;

apprehensive, foreboding, hesitant, misgiving;

fretful, fretting, stewing, vexed;

flustered, twittered, undone, unnerved, unstrung;

obsessed, preoccupied, restless;

fidgety, flighty, fluttery, high-strung, skittish, spooky;

Phrases

keyed up, on edge, on pins and needles, on tenterhooks;

UPSET Defined for English Language Learners

upset

verb

Definition of upset for English Language Learners

  • : to make (someone) unhappy, worried, etc.

  • : to cause an unpleasant feeling in (your stomach)

  • : to cause (something) to be unable to continue in the expected way

upset

noun

Definition of upset for English Language Learners

  • : an occurrence in which a game, contest, etc., is won by a person or team that was expected to lose

  • : an unpleasant feeling of illness in your stomach

  • : a period of worry and unhappiness caused by something that has happened

upset

adjective

Definition of upset for English Language Learners

  • : angry or unhappy

UPSET Defined for Kids

1

upset

verb up·set \ ˌəp-ˈset \

Definition of upset for Students

upset; upsetting
1 : to worry or make unhappy
  • The bad news upset us all.
2 : to make somewhat ill
  • Pizza upsets my stomach.
3 : to force or be forced out of the usual position : overturn
  • Sit down before you upset the canoe.
4 : to cause confusion in
  • Rain upset our plans.
5 : to defeat unexpectedly
2

upset

noun up·set \ ˈəp-ˌset \

Definition of upset for Students

1 : an unexpected defeat
2 : a feeling of illness in the stomach
3 : a period of worry or unhappiness
  • an emotional upset
3

upset

adjective up·set \ ˌəp-ˈset \

Definition of upset for Students

: emotionally disturbed or unhappy

Medical Dictionary

1

upset

transitive verb up·set \ (ˌ)əp-ˈset \

medical Definition of upset

upset; upsetting
1 : to trouble mentally or emotionally
  • the news upset me
2 : to cause a physical disorder in; specifically : to make somewhat ill
  • greasy food upsets my stomach
2

upset

noun up·set \ ˈəp-ˌset \

medical Definition of upset

1 : a minor physical disorder
  • a stomach upset
2 : an emotional disturbance
3

upset

adjective up·set \ (ˌ)əp-ˈset \

medical Definition of upset

1 : affected with a minor physical disturbance
  • an upset stomach
2 : emotionally disturbed or agitated
  • was too upset to speak

Learn More about upset

  1. See words that rhyme with upset Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for upset Spanish Central: Translation of upset Nglish: Translation of upset for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of upset for Arabic speakers

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