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 behavior isn’t just irritating or upsetting. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026 These little monsters are cute in perhaps a beautifully upsetting way, which is just my kind of thing, honestly. — Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 9 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
  • The film follows a man trapped inside a bar, where reality begins to unravel in increasingly disturbing ways.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
  • At a time when politics is so absurd and disturbing, maybe political comedy is less funny.
    — Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 13 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
  • Large fires in southern France have already scorched thousands of hectares (acres) since last week, disrupting the Tour de France cycling race and stretching firefighting resources.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • Rufus the hawk handles deterring the pigeons from disrupting play by eating grass seed.
    — Nick Pachelli, Time, 11 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
  • 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
  • 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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upsetting. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on upsetting

Nglish: Translation of upsetting for Spanish Speakers

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