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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
For people like Emily Phelps who go to the park regularly that possibility is upsetting. — John Dias, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 This story involves discussion of suicide that some readers may find upsetting. — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
More pragmatic figures in the establishment accuse these hard-liners of upsetting the country’s social peace with needless political repression, and by seeking to micromanage the lifestyles of ordinary people. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 But his mental anguish is upsetting the balance of his cross-species DNA, first with paralyzing headaches and gradually with an internal battle as his arachnid side starts overpowering his human side. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 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
  • French President Emanuel Macron delivered a briefing to the candidates running to succeed him so disturbing that even the far-right National Rally’s leaders emerged denouncing Russian hybrid attacks.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The 72-year-old Cuban widow filed for temporary custody shortly after the disturbing incident.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Verb
  • But the Treasury market’s rapid deterioration is now alarming those who previously downplayed the risks.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The constant delay-of-game calls, false starts and inability to get lined up are a special level of alarming for a quarterback who entered the NFL 10 years ago.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of alarming
Verb
  • As well as overturning the 2024 standards, the EPA is proposing to roll back its authority to regulate climate pollution from power plants.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Kavanaugh wrote an opinion in 2012 overturning the terrorism conviction of a driver and bodyguard for Osama bin Laden.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of overturning
Verb
  • Burnam has a related lawsuit against O’Hare and the county in federal court as well as a request to dismiss the charges placed against him for disrupting a meeting and disorderly conduct.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Technical problems at a Federal Aviation Administration center in Philadelphia halted departures at New York-area airports Monday, disrupting hundreds of flights across the Northeast.
    — Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of disrupting
Adjective
  • Up close, its elongated head, skeletal body and glistening double set of jaws reveal just how much unsettling detail goes into a creature often glimpsed onscreen in darkness.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Adrià describes a world filtered through adolescence, where people, places and situations can appear idealized, magical or unsettling.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of unsettling
Verb
  • The result is a safer-phone category that already spans traditional feature phones, minimalist devices and smartphones that have been deliberately stripped of distracting features.
    — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Schedule time away from distracting apps If certain times of day are your weak spot, Downtime can help.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of distracting
Verb
  • The rip currents and massive surf are capable of capsizing small boats, knocking people off jetties and pulling swimmers out to sea.
    — Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Prosecutors said Hernandez piloted the boat into a swell and had accelerated the throttle to try to pass through it until the swell swamped the bow of the boat, capsizing it immediately, a complaint alleged.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of capsizing
Verb
  • The common mistake is confusing behavioral information with behavioral intelligence.
    — Dr. Jay R. Harrison, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • No doubt, Gucci Morty is confusing teachers who are receiving similar responses from their students.
    — Owen Carry, USA Today, 22 Sep. 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 28 Sep. 2026.

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