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
Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
For many in San Antonio and Texas, the reckoning is deeply upsetting.
—Nancy M. Preyor-Johnson, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Mar. 2026
Ryan Brennan
march 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
The Sacramento Kings have won three of their last four games after upsetting the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Adjective
Now, Kylie is pictured on the cover of Vanity Fair smoking a cigarette, upsetting parents and doctors.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
For many in San Antonio and Texas, the reckoning is deeply upsetting.
—Nancy M. Preyor-Johnson, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
But McNeese secured a March Madness bid by upsetting SFA in the Southland Conference Tournament — the school’s third consecutive Southland championship.
—Ryan Brennan
march 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
The Sacramento Kings have won three of their last four games after upsetting the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upsetting
Adjective
-
The Drama stars Robert Pattinson and Zendaya as Charlie and Emma, a young couple whose lives and upcoming wedding are thrown into disarray when the latter drunkenly reveals a disturbing secret from her past.—
Mike Miller,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The details her 10-year-old daughter provided were disturbing for any parent to hear.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Midway through my massage, the boat unmoored itself and set sail—setting off an initially alarming vibrating bed and whirring engine noise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Recently, something new appeared on the landscape, alarming wildlife advocates like Christina Aiello.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
By taking on the condition of a servant, the Son reveals the Father’s glory, overturning the worldly standards that so often distort our conscience.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The tornadoes ranged in intensity from EF-0 to EF-3, damaging or destroying numerous homes and businesses, overturning vehicles and causing widespread power outages.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Namira lives in East Elmhurst, where several bus stops had recently been removed, disrupting her mother’s commute to Times Square and inspiring her to action.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Cybersecurity stocks — Shares got hit again as investor fears of AI threatening cyber infrastructure and disrupting cybersecurity companies' business models reappeared.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
According to the film’s official logline, the story begins when police chief Bum-seok, played by Hwang, receives unsettling news from local youths that a tiger has appeared in the hills, a report that erupts into village-wide panic and soon escalates into something far stranger.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
-
As the façade of privilege begins to crack, the film charts an unsettling psychological terrain.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Declutter the Exterior Clutter outside your home is just as distracting as clutter inside.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Not all Mauss’s material lends equally well to visualizations, and there are moments in the special when the animations are more distracting than additive.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
-
But Neptune also blurs lines, which is why its influence can feel mysterious or even confusing at times.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
That’s not all that’s confusing across the first season.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upsetting. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
