upset 1 of 3

upset

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verb

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2
3

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
How long has Epoch been upset about Sylvanian Drama? Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 17 July 2025 His steal against Jaylen Brown in Game 1 was a thing of beauty and doing the same to Jayson Tatum to seal Game 2 made the upset over the Boston Celtics during the Eastern Conference Semifinals a distinct possibility. Tom Rende, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Verb
Her goal is to comfort those who are sympathetic to her critique and upset those who are not. Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025 The fans say they are upset by the Galaxy management’s silence amid ICE’s presence in the Latino community. Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
Noun
Side effects were minimal, with the most common being mild digestive upsets, similar to that of semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy). New Atlas, 21 June 2025 Where working class folks stage electoral upsets against the powers that be. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for upset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset
Adjective
  • Many tourism leaders in gateway towns near them are worried tourists will start going elsewhere if the park experience or its environment gets eroded.
    Kirk Siegler, NPR, 24 July 2025
  • With inflation picking up, and President Donald Trump's new tariff rates threatening to drive prices even higher, some parents are worried about making ends meet.
    Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Still, some experts worry about using federal aid to fund such programs.
    Natalie Yahr, jsonline.com, 19 July 2025
  • Buying back-to-school supplies can be challenging for families, so organizations and companies across Phoenix are hosting backpack and school supply giveaways to ensure that no student has to worry about being ready for the school year.
    Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • Later that year, under pressure from the restaurant lobby, the D.C. Council overturned it.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
  • District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell overturned those actions in May, concluding that Trump was outside his authority in firing the board and its acting president and that, therefore, all subsequent actions were also moot.
    GARY FIELDS, Arkansas Online, 27 July 2025
Verb
  • The industry’s year of strikes in 2023 also disrupted the flow of Hollywood movie releases to the local multiplex.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2025
  • Frequent use can disrupt normal bowel function and lead to laxative dependence or chronic constipation.7 Only use castor oil under medical guidance.
    Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • However, many corporate boards in the U.S. and elsewhere continue to resist common sense boardroom transformation in the face of digital business disruption and increasing cybersecurity risks.
    Bob Zukis, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • Many people and buildings are scrambling to buy water tanks, hoping to stockpile what little water there is to make it through future disruptions.
    Leily Nikounazar Arash Khamooshi, New York Times, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • Joe Mazur, senior analyst at Trivium China, a research and advisory firm, said the use of exit bans and the lack of clarity around specific cases will make foreign companies extremely nervous about sending staff to China, damaging overall business confidence.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
  • All 11 brought home at least one full point in Rome, the result of their talent but also of a cohesive approach where veteran Justin Rose was willing to be paired with nervous rookie Robert MacIntyre in fourball and sit the foursomes sessions.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Signs on the fence that surrounds the property warn of large fines for disturbing the site, which is the subject of investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and Cal-OSHA.
    Nathaniel Levine, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2025
  • In 2005, an anonymous tipster sent the family disturbing images of a woman from an adult website based in the Caribbean.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • At least 34 people are dead after a sudden thunderstorm caused a tourist boat to capsize in Vietnam on Saturday, according to local reports.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
  • The boat capsized due to heavy winds, the local Vietnam outlet reported.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 19 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Upset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upset. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

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