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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
So, with the knowledge that the upcoming summer holidays might be upsetting for your pets, what are some next steps for concerned pet owners? — Tanya Edwards, USA Today, 26 June 2026 While at the AirBnb, the two decided to go to a restaurant and on the drive there the woman got a text from the father of her child, upsetting Garcia, police say. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
Verb
As the 32nd and last seed, the Kaulig Racing driver made an improbably flamboyant run to a runner-up finish while upsetting Hamlin and 2012 champion Brad Keselowski. — ABC News, 27 June 2026 There were so many ways to do it without upsetting the people who were waiting to be upset. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 24 June 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
  • Stuck together, wandering through thick green woods for days, the conversation between Sam and Paul drifts in an increasingly disturbing direction.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
  • Wilde noted how Musk has perpetuated some of incel culture’s more disturbing ideology, particularly the belief that men are more powerful than nature.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 22 July 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
  • The players were aware of popular sentiment against overturning the call.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Earlier this year, Zeldin proposed overturning the landmark finding that climate change is a threat to human health.
    — Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
Definition of overturning
Verb
  • Meanwhile in Romania over the weekend, the Danube plunged to its lowest level in 30 years, according to Reuters, disrupting shipping and leading to restrictions on irrigation.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • At least eight people have died as severe weather continues to sweep across the United States, with flash flooding, powerful thunderstorms and extreme heat disrupting travel and threatening communities on July 19.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 20 July 2026
Definition of disrupting
Adjective
  • But now, the idyllic Mississippi island is overcast with an unsettling pall after the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 18 July 2026
  • Below, Entertainment Weekly looks back at eight other unsettling encounters celebrities have had while on the job.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026
Definition of unsettling
Verb
  • The previous time the New York Knicks won an NBA Final, in 1973, in-game sound was basically unheard-of in basketball—too distracting for players and fans.
    — Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
  • Low-cost drones are also increasingly being paired with high-end weapons to improve their effectiveness by distracting or overwhelming enemy air defenses.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 15 July 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
  • Indeed, the movie opens with Ed quizzing an older Greek man he’s befriended on the Belgian designer Ann Demeulemeester, before berating him for confusing his Bottega Veneta loafers for Sebago.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Disenfranchising or, at best, confusing their voters risks their own electoral success, too.
    — SoRelle Wyckoff Gaynor, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Definition of confusing

Browse Nearby Words

upsets
upsetting
upshot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upsetting. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on upsetting

Nglish: Translation of upsetting for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of maverick

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All