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
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
  • In a handwritten criminal complaint, Patty’s ex-wife described a disturbing physical altercation that allegedly left her with a swollen arm, neck pain and a bump on her head.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The 1981 film revolves around a woman who begins exhibiting increasingly disturbing behavior after asking her husband for a divorce.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 29 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 court delivered on a long-term goal of the conservative legal movement, overturning a 90-year precedent that had limited the ability of presidents to fire leaders of agencies that Congress designed to be independent.
    — Emily R. Condon, USA Today, 30 July 2026
  • In June, 2025, the Israelis conducted an extended assault that appeared partly aimed at overturning the Iranian government.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 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
  • Pork Soda, in particular, foreshadowed the weight of nu-metal acts like Korn, who also deployed sagging bass in service of profoundly unsettling narratives.
    — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026
  • But let that terror develop for just a second and something more unsettling will emerge.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 July 2026
Definition of unsettling
Verb
  • The Art of Peripheral Focus One of the primary challenges of a 270-degree projection is ensuring the peripheral imagery enhances the experience without distracting from the central narrative.
    — Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • In the context of tens of thousands of DPS students who aren’t making gains quickly enough to ever meet proficiency levels, such fanfare is essentially distracting braggadocio.
    — Elaine Gantz Berman, Denver Post, 27 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
  • Physicians are alarmed, stressing that FDA licensing is crucial for guiding patients, as this decision risks confusing consumers about regulated versus unregulated treatments.
    — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Seahawks and Eagles won Super Bowls by confusing teams from multiple alignments.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of confusing

Browse Nearby Words

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 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of upsetting for Spanish Speakers

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