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
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
But this is upsetting (and frazzling) to me on a deeper level.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 8 Jan. 2026
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026
The San Francisco 49ers got the job done on the road, upsetting the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, 23-19, in the Wild Card Round to move on in the playoffs.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Adjective
This made the film upsetting at times; suddenly, the humans dying onscreen began to feel real.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
But this is upsetting (and frazzling) to me on a deeper level.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
That expains in part why Ferrari was so reluctant to make one, finally relenting with the Purosangue, which was the most polarizing car of 2022 and is still upsetting people to this day.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026
The San Francisco 49ers got the job done on the road, upsetting the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, 23-19, in the Wild Card Round to move on in the playoffs.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upsetting
Adjective
-
Some of those revelations are deeply disturbing.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
1 Feb. 2026
-
These disturbing images raise even more questions about Epstein and his relationships with some of the most powerful men in the world.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After her husband took her pets out of the room, Bloor then faced the even more delicate task of safely removing herself from the bed without alarming the snake.—
Phil Boucher,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
While a small sample size, the historical record for what happens after the S & P 500 has a down month after a seven-month win streak is more reassuring than alarming for the near term.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Taking an unprecedented approach to using the relatively novel Congressional Review Act, the House voted 214-208 in favor of overturning a 20-year mining moratorium that was established in 2023.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Francesca Nadin of Prisoners for Palestine said the hunger strikers’ case – and growing support for overturning the ban on Palestine Action – reflect intensifying public concern over the right to free speech.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors have accused them of civil rights violations for disrupting the Cities Church service.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Wild weather is disrupting daily life — impacting homes, schools, and roadways.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
On the unsettling meme economy in the aftermath of violence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Uncertainty can be unsettling nonetheless.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
It’s been only about three weeks since Trump toppled Maduro, and already a long line of other flashpoints — from immigration enforcement to Greenland — are distracting attention from what his administration is doing in Caracas.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The whole idea is to choose something that isn't too distracting.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
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
-
Too many turnaround attempts see a CEO throwing spaghetti at the wall in the hopes something will work, further confusing the rank and file and sapping their confidence in management.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
One thing confusing some residents is snow emergency declarations and the residential street parking restrictions.—
Veronica Ortega,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upsetting. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
