upsetting 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)əp-ˈse-tiŋ How to pronounce upsetting (audio)
Definition of upsettingnext
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety the constant arguing is upsetting to a sensitive person like your grandmother

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

upsetting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of upset
1
as in alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy the smallest things can upset us if we're already stressed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overturning
to turn on one's side or upside down the narrow boat upsets easily and should be handled with care

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disrupting
to undo the proper order or arrangement of the change in the bus schedule upset our daily routine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 upsetting
Adjective
This took an upsetting story about Trump trying to get paid to tweak the stock market with Truth Social and turned it into a chance to go boi-oi-oing. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 July 2026 This was upsetting to the Mainers who’d hoped that the people sent to the convention would be impartial. — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026
Verb
Similar concerns have come up related to progressive populists’ potential for upsetting Democratic establishment candidates and incumbents in primaries in Connecticut, Hawaii and Missouri. — David M. Drucker, Mercury News, 15 July 2026 Led by Haaland, a standout striker, and Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard, the Norwegian team has captured the world’s attention after upsetting five-time champion Brazil in the Round of 16. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upsetting
  1. disturbing
  2. alarming
  3. overturning
  4. disrupting
  5. unsettling
  6. distracting
  7. capsizing
  8. confusing
Adjective
  • To say all of this is eye-opening and disturbing doesn’t begin to cover it.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • These are questions that can be discomfiting, even disturbing.
    — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Verb
  • In Orange County, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County maintains infectious-disease surveillance and disease-reporting services for residents and visitors, which is exactly how local systems stay ready without alarming the public.
    — Luis E. Caso Vega, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026
  • So, even just the unusual presence of an aircraft in this area made this incident alarming for one resident, Anna, who spoke to CNN near the scene.
    — Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Definition of alarming
Verb
  • An overnight police chase in Miramar ended with a black SUV overturning into a Tesla dealership parking lot, injuring one and hospitalizing another, authorities say.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Colorado State Patrol The Kenworth collided with the left side of the International trailer, overturning the trailer into an irrigation ditch on the south side of the roadway.
    — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of overturning
Verb
  • Persistent heatwaves are not only driving up the cost of keeping society running and disrupting companies' production and operations, but are also putting pressure on European economic growth.
    — , CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The Dodgers pulled off the trade without disrupting their major-league squad.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of disrupting
Adjective
  • For a series built around the unsettling idea of collective perfection, Pluribus works because each department thrived in the chaos of creation.
    — Deadline, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
  • As Ludwig’s body begins to change in unsettling ways, the cure becomes a journey through fear, loss and transformation.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsettling
Verb
  • Going back and forth from one home to the other home each week can be upsetting or distracting, causing distress.
    — Patricia Fersch, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The Strip provided distracting saturations of red-white-and-blue.
    — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of distracting
Verb
  • Witnesses reported heavy seas, and the boat either was struck by a wave or took on water before capsizing.
    — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 16 July 2026
  • As water poured in, the vessel drifted before capsizing near the island’s coast.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
Definition of capsizing
Verb
  • But there is the risk that his strategy will backfire by confusing investors.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Jobs are down, but consumer sentiment—and the stock market—are up, leaving the retail sector to reckon with a host of seeming contradictions and confusing market signals.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of confusing

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upsets
upsetting
upshot
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Cite this Entry

“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upsetting. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of upsetting for Spanish Speakers

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