upset 1 of 3

upset

2 of 3

verb

1
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
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
Such medications might upset your stomach and have other side effects. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 The Senate text would also include key changes for Medicaid and green energy tax credits, and keep the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions at $10,000 a year — provisions that risk upsetting various Republicans in both chambers. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 17 June 2025
Noun
Why The Pacers Could Win Game 3 (And/Or Cover) The Pacers have already defied their doubters with a number of upsets this postseason. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025 Hamilton averaged an identical 21.5 points per to lead the Detroit Pistons to one of the biggest upsets in NBA Finals history five years later, starring on the 2004 team that stunned Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and the L.A. Lakers to win the title in five games. Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for upset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • After studies had linked chronic exposure to high levels of mercury found in fish and whale blubber to developmental delays, scientists began to worry about the element’s effects on the young brain.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
  • Concerns about student overuse and misuse are still prevalent: About half of teachers worry that student use of AI will decrease teens’ ability to think critically and independently or to have persistence when problem solving, according to the study.
    Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The measure is designed to overturn a series of executive orders by Trump, including banning transgender troops in the U.S. military and blocking transgender students from playing on girls’ sports teams.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2025
  • Thursday night's ruling overturned a temporary restraining order that had been paused during appeals.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 20 June 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
  • Airspace disruptions were most severe on Friday in the region after Israel halted overflights and Iran ceased operations at its main airport in Tehran.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
  • However, after contending with a string of conflicts going back to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and beyond, the disruption of war has become a fact of life that airlines have become adept at dealing with.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 21 June 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
  • 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
  • The Heisenberg uncertainty principle teaches us that observation disturbs the observed.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Upset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upset. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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