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
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
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Recent Examples of upsetting
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
While break-ins such as these are upsetting, the LAPD says property crimes have been on a downward trend.
—Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Rima Parikh, Vulture, 10 May 2026
Skinner became part of a Padres controversy in 1978 when founding Padres president Buzzie Bavasi hired Skinner to be the hitting coach of the California Angels, upsetting Padres owner Ray Kroc.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Adjective
Noribogaine reportedly does not induce the intense, hourslong and sometimes emotionally upsetting high associated with ibogaine.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
While break-ins such as these are upsetting, the LAPD says property crimes have been on a downward trend.
—Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Odyssey trailer that’s upsetting some purists?
—Rima Parikh, Vulture, 10 May 2026
Skinner became part of a Padres controversy in 1978 when founding Padres president Buzzie Bavasi hired Skinner to be the hitting coach of the California Angels, upsetting Padres owner Ray Kroc.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upsetting
Adjective
-
OpenAI had previously flagged her ChatGPT conversations as having a disturbing fascination with extreme violence, and suspended her account, but reportedly the company did not notify law enforcement.—
Anat Lior,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
-
In an hour-and-a-half interview with the New York Times Popcast that dropped on Thursday, Rodrigo staunchly defended the dress and called the criticism disturbing.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The alerts were triggered by the severe thunderstorm moving through the area, alarming some residents who were unaware the city’s siren system now also goes off when a severe weather warning is issued by the National Weather Service.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
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Midway through my massage, the boat unmoored itself and set sail—setting off an initially alarming vibrating bed and whirring engine noise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Verhoeven's protest is the immediate story, though overturning a result on a stoppage-timing dispute is historically a steep climb.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
The court annulled the CHP’s 2023 Congress, overturning a lower court’s verdict last year against claims of irregularities surrounding Özel’s election.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Lastly, azelaic acid can help reduce redness and breakouts gently, without disrupting the skin’s ecosystem.—
Tatiana Dias,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
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Jim also reiterated his view that concerns about AI disrupting cybersecurity have proven misguided as digital threats become increasingly sophisticated.—
Alexa LoMonaco,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Once her own pregnancy began, stepping away from work initially felt unfamiliar and slightly unsettling.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
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On the opposite side, the Passion façade is stark, angular and unsettling by comparison, telling a very different part of the Christian story in a completely different visual language.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Thankfully, The Great American Baking Show has two devilishly distracting hosts at hand to make sure the participants are juggling as many plates as possible.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
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Shooting in the real homes, clubs and neighborhoods that birthed these characters strips away distracting artifice, allowing the slowburn emotional stakes to take over.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The Frontex patrol boat sank off the tiny Greek island of Kastellorizo after capsizing, the coast guard said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
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Operators of another boat happened to be on the phone with the Coast Guard checking conditions in the inlet and reported the vessel, the Moonstruck, capsizing, according to The Coastland Times.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Stop confusing busy with productive Founders in the struggle zone are busy.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Schoen’s contract extension is confusing at best.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upsetting. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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