upsetting
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
Bill GatesProfessors issue, or students demand, trigger warnings when presenting material that might be upsetting to some: depictions of rape, sexism, racism, suicide.—Yvonne Abraham
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
Alexis Gardner
Examples of upsetting in a Sentence
the constant arguing is upsetting to a sensitive person like your grandmother
Recent Examples on the Web
Moving on from the best stadium in the world is a very upsetting move.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
Has there been a more upsetting mega-blockbuster?
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
The building went up in 2008, which is clear in some of the finishes (the hardwoods would benefit from being sanded and stained a less upsetting shade), but the light is good and the ceilings are high.
—Katie McDonough, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025
He was struck by how the people in the club were willing to talk about upsetting events on campus, like a teacher being fired.
—Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
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Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
Has there been a more upsetting mega-blockbuster?
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
The building went up in 2008, which is clear in some of the finishes (the hardwoods would benefit from being sanded and stained a less upsetting shade), but the light is good and the ceilings are high.
—Katie McDonough, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025
He was struck by how the people in the club were willing to talk about upsetting events on campus, like a teacher being fired.
—Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Cite this Entry
“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upsetting. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
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