upset 1 of 3

upset

2 of 3

verb

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2
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upset

3 of 3

noun

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

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an upset child
an unhappy child
an agitated child
an emotional child
a distraught child
a perturbed child
upset customers
unhappy customers
displeased customers
unsatisfied customers
outraged customers
angry customers
an upset stomach
a sour stomach
an irritable stomach
an unsettled stomach
an uneasy stomach
a sick stomach

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
In what many pundits considered an upset, Tordillos eventually overcame a slight deficit on election night to overtake Matthew Quevedo, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s deputy chief of staff, by six votes. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 25 June 2025 Although Spur isn’t for sale, her group is also upset about the other wild animals being sold in the store and wants the village to enforce an ordinance that prohibits the keeping of naturally wild animals. Elizabeth Owens-Schiele, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Verb
Hedden observed the interaction and took the woman into custody, and records written by police said Hunt Jr. got upset and grabbed his cousin, interfering with her arrest. Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 Gauff joined Jessica Pegula, who lost earlier Tuesday, in the round of American women upsets. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
Utah continues to improve and continues to get upsets. Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 The weekend's upsets serve as a black eye for the SEC. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for upset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset
Adjective
  • But even in a Congress filled with newcomers, the memory of 2018 (and its electoral fallout for a beleaguered GOP) should be fresh enough to keep people worried.
    Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • As Republicans work to pass President Donald Trump's reconciliation bill by his July 4 deadline, many are worried about the changes that could be coming to Medicaid.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • On account of its relative remoteness--sat between Scotland 200 miles to the south and Iceland 400 miles to the north--the Faroe Islands hasn’t had to worry about over-tourism too much.
    Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • Though Harry assured Charlotte that everything is going to be OK, Charlotte can’t help but worry.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • But the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that decision last year.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2025
  • The bill, which Gov. Mike Kehoe is expected to sign and would begin Aug. 28, would overturn sick leave provisions included in a ballot measure that Missouri voters approved last year.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The Justice Department has filed similar prosecutions in recent years, as well as created an initiative aimed at disrupting the threat.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2025
  • As discussed ad nauseum Iran could disrupt shipping in the Arabian/Persian Gulf, but only partly and only for a brief period.
    Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Today, between the economic, technological and geopolitical disruptions over the last few years, even three-month plans may require constant adjustment.
    Laureen Knudsen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The storms are causing significant travel disruptions.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • But with Wirtz, there was suddenly an effort not to do that; the media got nervous about calling it a record.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Watching his son evolve from a 4-star recruit out of Columbus High School in Miami to an eventual first-round pick out of Michigan State, Richardson doesn’t get too nervous or overly excited when Jase is on the court.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • The Heisenberg uncertainty principle teaches us that observation disturbs the observed.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Hammond, not wanting the dinosaurs disturbed, sends behavioral paleontologist Sarah Harding (Julianne Moore) to Isla Sorna, where the dinosaurs have been living without human interference.
    Will Harris, EW.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • In the first of the many extended action set-pieces that are director Edwards’ forte, La Mariposa is sideswiped by a mosasaurus and capsized.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
  • Francesco Di Filippo went missing on April 3 when a boat carrying him, his 75-year-old grandfather and one other capsized, according to Wisconsin Dells police, WMTV reported.
    Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Upset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upset. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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