upsetting

1 of 2

adjective

up·​set·​ting (ˌ)əp-ˈse-tiŋ 

: mentally or emotionally troubling or disturbing : causing feelings of worry or anxiety

heard some upsetting news

an upsetting experience

We're up to [a deficit of] $1.5 trillion a year … . These numbers are truly upsetting.

—Bill Gates

Professors issue, or students demand, trigger warnings when presenting material that might be upsetting to some: depictions of rape, sexism, racism, suicide.

—Yvonne Abraham

upsettingly adverb

an upsettingly graphic depiction of violence

In comparison to male historical figures, the number of women that we learn about throughout school is upsettingly low.

—Alexis Gardner

upsetting

2 of 2

present participle of upset entry 1

Synonyms of upsetting

Adjective

• disturbing
• unsettling
• troubling
• frightening

Examples of upsetting in a Sentence

Adjective

the constant arguing is upsetting to a sensitive person like your grandmother

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Kelly and Gallen were disappointing, but perhaps more upsetting was the fact that the Diamondbacks had no choice but to give them start after start. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Our studies point to several possible reasons for why false beliefs feel so upsetting. — Andras Molnar, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

However, when considering veering from the tradition, recognize that your choice may draw attention away from the purpose of the day or be upsetting to others from older generations. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Watching the film of the honeymooners’ seemingly fragile conveyance fall out of the sky and drop like a bird is deeply upsetting. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1872, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for upsetting

• abetting
• begetting
• besetting
• bloodletting
• briquetting
• forgetting
• offsetting
• pipetting
• regretting
• resetting
• subletting
• typesetting