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
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
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Unlike, say, the wearable AI device known as Friend — designed to eavesdrop on your life and offer up sometimes upsetting commentary — the Moflin doesn’t talk.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Similar concerns are upsetting older adults in Sunnyvale, where a program that serves healthy meals to residents aged 60 and older, as well as their spouses and disabled dependents, increasingly has to turn people away as demand has outstripped the program’s funding.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Adjective
For David Martin, the outcome was upsetting but clarifying.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Unlike, say, the wearable AI device known as Friend — designed to eavesdrop on your life and offer up sometimes upsetting commentary — the Moflin doesn’t talk.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Even though moral victories are for losers, the only loss Mike McDaniel’s team should lower its head in shame about was that 31-6 Cleveland loss two weeks ago, but the Dolphins responded by upsetting the Atlanta Falcons last week.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Similar concerns are upsetting older adults in Sunnyvale, where a program that serves healthy meals to residents aged 60 and older, as well as their spouses and disabled dependents, increasingly has to turn people away as demand has outstripped the program’s funding.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upsetting
Adjective
-
Despite already having declared her candidacy, McKnight voiced disturbing and violent threats against Sheehy.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This story contains a description of a shooting some readers may find disturbing.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This isn’t in itself alarming in the moment, though such a narrow market often works against the duration of an advance.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
-
In a city home to the world’s largest Jewish population outside Israel, Mamdani’s message has struck sharply different chords, galvanizing left-leaning activists while alarming many Jewish voters who view his words as inflammatory.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Conservative Supreme Court Justice's Views on Obergefell Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Samuel Alito, signaled interest in reexamining past precedents like Obergefell in a concurrence with the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling overturning Roe.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
With this reasoning, the Court ruled against Scott and legalized slavery in the territories by overturning the Missouri Compromise.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In addition to disrupting the students’ routines, parents said the school closure forced them to scramble to make child care arrangements.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
-
And the light from screens can affect your circadian rhythm, disrupting your sleep.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Compared to the swooning Gothic romance of Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula, Kenneth Branagh’s Frankenstein is just too perverse — in an unsettling way.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
-
At the same time, the detective assigned to the case begins to uncover secrets about Scout, along with an unsettling breakthrough in Georgia’s death.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Democratic crackup that’s now underway in Washington is distracting the party from a series of brutal fights just ahead that will culminate in next year’s midterms.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Even without mixing and matching, simple gold hoops can offer a sleek and classy look that feels elevated and sophisticated enough for wearing to the office, celebrating milestones, and attending events without being distracting.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Perplexity’s image features photographs of people with some truly nightmarish distortions on its wall, while the placement of its sink is confusing and distracting.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
25 Oct. 2025
-
This was out of respect for me, and also to avoid confusing the children.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upsetting. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share