upset 1 of 3

upset

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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
Shildt was upset over home plate umpire Adrian Johnson’s decision to eject Fernando Tatis Jr. in the eighth inning following the slugger’s strikeout. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2025 That is until 2020, when some students got upset at the question and reported him to the dean. Gerry Regep, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2025
Verb
After upsetting the Bengals in Week 1 last season, the Patriots will return to the Queen City just days before Thanksgiving. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025 And just for now, in the moment, still a ways from the NBA Finals, one more win against the Celtics will make this feel like that first Super Bowl when the Giants knocked off the 18-0 Patriots, when New York upset Boston that time. Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025
Noun
Jockey Junior Alvarado, who takes home $3.1 million in winnings, had already pulled off an upset of his own, bouncing back from a hairline fracture in his shoulder two months ago that left him sidelined for weeks. Nick Duffy, NBC news, 4 May 2025 As its name implies, the single-elimination format means unpredictability, and upsets come with the territory. Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for upset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset
Adjective
  • Elsewhere in the episode, Torre reported that Belichick’s family members are among those who are worried about his relationship with Hudson, which was first made public last June.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 13 May 2025
  • Nearly two-thirds (63%) are worried about global warming and 37% are not.
    Robert G. Eccles, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Given the historical biases in hiring practices, many job seekers worry that AI might perpetuate or even amplify these biases.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • In 1956, a survey of over 2,000 professors showed that 61% had been contacted by the FBI; 40% worried that students might misrepresent their politics; and about a quarter would not express their views for fear of the government.
    Time, Time, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • But in April, the state’s Court of Appeals, which has a Republican majority, issued a three-sentence decision overturning the lower court’s ruling without hearing oral arguments.
    Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 16 May 2025
  • Migrant rights advocates and legal practitioners have objected to this reasoning, citing serious deficiencies in the immigration ministry and the high rate of rejections overturned on appeal.
    Frey Lindsay, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • In a particularly affecting scene, Laura pleads with a social worker who disrupts the sinister plot she’s been crafting.
    Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 16 May 2025
  • Indeed, on Thursday in Basel, a small group of protesters blew whistles and waved flags to disrupt one of Raphael’s public rehearsals.
    Alex Marshall, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Today's students—confronting mounting student debt concerns, AI disruption, and fierce competition for jobs—prioritize credentials, internships, and practical skills over traditional college experiences.
    Scott White, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • Historically on summer weekends and holidays, the number of visitors visiting the park frequently contributes to crowded conditions and travel disruptions, officials said.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • A little nervous at first, Harry does well calling the boat in.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 May 2025
  • The Trump administration became increasingly nervous at the prospect of a major war erupting in one of the most populous places on the planet.
    Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • These days, there’s no shortage of packable, lightweight sleeping pads to make sure no peas (or pebbles) ever disturb your slumber on your next backpacking trip.
    Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 11 May 2025
  • Both of these albums were born at a time when outside factors disturbed their peace.
    Alex Gonzalez, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • The move comes a week after three people died when a panga with 18 people aboard capsized off the coast of Del Mar. A 10-year-old girl also went missing and is presumed dead.
    Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • What To Know Authorities say three migrants died Monday when a boat carrying them and 13 others capsized off the California coast.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Upset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upset. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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