upset 1 of 3

upset

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verb

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2
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upset

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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
Even downtown business owners who were spared severe damage were upset and trying to make sense of the destruction. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025 The student body was visibly upset, Nicholas Molinari, president of the Milford Teachers Association, said in an email. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 10 June 2025
Verb
However, after Kelvin was upset by Nahir Albright in their co-main event fight, Keon and Keyshawn both got involved in an altercation with Albright backstage. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2025 On the other hand, despite becoming the first player since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach three consecutive Grand Slam finals, Sabalenka has now lost the last two to American opponents, having been upset by Madison Keys at the Australian Open in January. Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
Noun
That outrage failed to materialize in large enough numbers to overturn the outcome in the reliably Republican district, foiling Democrats’ hope to pull off a huge upset that would have buoyed their party. Kate Payne, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025 In one of the more shocking upsets in UFC title fight history, Pena submitted Nunes in the second round, ending the Brazilian’s title reign. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for upset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset
Adjective
  • And although several college refs are famous and infamous within certain fan bases and leagues, college leaders are worried about backlash toward officials going any further.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • That’s why, when federal immigration agents rolled into the berry fields of Oxnard last week and detained 40 farmworkers, growers up and down the state grew worried along with their workers.
    Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • But school officials across the country worry that making lawsuits easier to win will create a more adversarial relationship between parents and schools in the difficult negotiations needed to balance a student’s needs with a school’s limited resources.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 13 June 2025
  • Don’t worry about honking horns and urban hubbub, either: Even on the lower floors, the soundproofing is superb and the hotel seems insulated from the outside world.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 13 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
  • Homophobic laws are politics, and so are the lives that people can live as a consequence of those laws being overturned.
    Kamila Shamsie June 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • These attacks don’t just disrupt operations but also expose deeply personal financial information that can fuel identity theft, fraud and long-term reputational damage.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2025
  • Globally, heatwaves, droughts, and extreme weather are disrupting supply chains, inflating food prices, and undermining financial stability.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 21 June 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
  • The grand jury looked at all of what OCTA does, from buses to freeways, but focused on the OC Streetcar project and the San Clemente rail disruptions after receiving complaints from residents.
    Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • After a decade of mayhem, property destruction, and nervous soldiers firing into a crowd, the rebellion broke into gunfire between British regulars and American militia at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.
    Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 17 June 2025
  • Any time there is a change at that level, people get nervous.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Later, her sister-in-law texts her, upset that her children were disturbed by her departure.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 11 June 2025
  • Many more are disturbed by the politicization of churches and turned off by dogmas that promote hate and discord, finding religious teachings and traditions to be outdated and incompatible with their values.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • In May, six people were killed when a private jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego, and another crash that month resulted in three fatalities and nine missing after a boat capsized nearby.
    Jesus Mesa Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
  • Also that month, two men died and two others were listed in critical condition after their boat capsized on Long Island Sound.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Upset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upset. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

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