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
Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
That these famous names were dedicating time and energy to the cause nearly two years later felt to me like a poor attempt to rectify what felt like eons of damning, upsetting silence.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 18 Sep. 2025
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
The changes in college football are already upsetting that dynamic.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Adjective
But perhaps even more upsetting was that Issa stayed with him in the finale, a plot point show creator Issa Rae says doesn't sit well with fans to this day.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
That these famous names were dedicating time and energy to the cause nearly two years later felt to me like a poor attempt to rectify what felt like eons of damning, upsetting silence.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
All relationships have mistakes and people end up inadvertently upsetting the other person.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
The changes in college football are already upsetting that dynamic.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upsetting
Adjective
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The private messages offer a disturbing glimpse into how Jones — who is looking to oust incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares this fall — describes his political adversaries in private conversations.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Oct. 2025
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There were masks and body suits made of female skin, along with human skulls for soup bowls and other disturbing oddities.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Browning has thrown eight interceptions in four starts, which was alarming enough for the Bengals to make a move.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
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But also alarming is that government officials don’t seem to take seriously the need to justify the reasons for their use of force, which should only be wielded to protect the rights of Americans.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Legal experts previously told Newsweek that the Court could end up overturning Colorado’s ban.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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In June, a three-judge panel had ruled unanimously that teaching yoga is protected speech and that city officials had failed to show how the classes threaten public safety or prevent enjoyment of the city’s shoreline parks, overturning a lower court’s ruling.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ride-hailing giants Uber and Bolt are disrupting Kenya’s lucrative safari market with new services that are driving fears of price cuts among traditional tour operators.—
Martin K.N Siele,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Cuban founded Cost Plus Drugs, a similar direct-to-consumer (DTC) platform, in 2022 with the goal of disrupting the health care industry.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Toxic masculinity, of both the younger and older varieties, are on unsettling display in Alejandro Castro Arias’ debut feature, which recently received its world premiere at the Oldenburg International Film Festival.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
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The news has prompted fears that the services will drive down prices, unsettling local tour operators in Kenya where the tourism sector accounts for 10% of the country’s GDP and employs more than a million people, many working in the safari tours space.—
Martin K.N Siele,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Several moves Paramount has made since Ellison’s team took over have proved distracting to CBS News.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
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The whole idea is to choose something that isn't too distracting.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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CarShield has received positive comments for its breadth of coverage and quick response times, although some policyholders have complained about claim denials, fine-print surprises and confusing sales practices.—
Brian Sloan,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
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The merger will divide Elon, confusing prospective and current students.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That's what makes reports of Wikipedia's systemic bias especially troubling.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 Oct. 2025
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For many 007 fans who commented online, the artwork situation may have been a troubling look to the future of James Bond, especially with a new film being readied and Denis Villeneuve in the director’s chair.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upsetting. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
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