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
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
While learning about possible genetic mutations can be upsetting, both Aliabadi and Goldfarb emphasized that this knowledge means power and future safety and health.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2025
Hunter Simpson, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
The oil and gas outsiders at Venture Global are doing so by upending project design norms, upsetting the Big Oil hierarchy, and dominating the nascent gas export industry.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Adjective
The pair was in good spirits during the season 8 reunion, with Daniel flaunting a tattoo of Taylor's eyes on his chest that's equal parts romantic and upsetting.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
While learning about possible genetic mutations can be upsetting, both Aliabadi and Goldfarb emphasized that this knowledge means power and future safety and health.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
Baltimore's lone victory this season came against the Cleveland Browns, who, despite upsetting the Green Bay Packers last week, are also 1-3 and equally struggling.
—Hunter Simpson, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
The oil and gas outsiders at Venture Global are doing so by upending project design norms, upsetting the Big Oil hierarchy, and dominating the nascent gas export industry.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upsetting
Adjective
-
The Wicker Man boasts a conclusion that is one of the most haunting and disturbing climaxes to a horror film in any era, but the inclusion of Lee as the wicked Lord Summerisle is a casting coup.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
-
What started as a search for wrapping paper led to a disturbing discovery that left her questioning her relationship with her mother.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
To respond, Barrett explained the doctrine of stare decisis and the considerations that go into overturning precedent like reliance interests — or important things that would be called into question if a law or ruling no longer existed.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The Court appears poised to extend this reasoning further, potentially overturning , which has protected independent agency officials from at-will removal for nearly ninety years.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But despite the Raiders’ slow start, Crosby remains the one player capable of disrupting that surge, near single-handedly.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
-
So far, more than four thousand employees have been laid off, disrupting government services devoted to, among other things, cybersecurity efforts, special-education programs, substance-abuse treatment, and loans for small businesses.—
Andy Kroll,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Those players must have experienced an extremely unsettling week between coach James Franklin’s abrupt dismissal and starting QB Drew Allar’s season-ending injury.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Witch-burning, frightening folklore, and centuries of war and bloodshed have imparted an unsettling ambience in destinations like Edinburgh.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In Season 4, Eddie played a key role in distracting Vecna’s (Jamie Campbell Bower) Demobats as the rest of the gang launched an attack on the Upside Down stronghold of Creel House.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
20 Oct. 2025
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Because many designs in the 1970s focused on open-concept designs, noise in the previous building could be distracting for classes, and teachers had made makeshift walls using bookshelves in an attempt to keep noise out, Bookhout said.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
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
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This brings the total to more than $2 million raised to influence the outcome of Referendum 310, funding a wave of misleading ads aimed at confusing voters.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
15 Oct. 2025
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The British and American versions also have different plot points, further confusing the matter, but the score has endured and developed a cult-following.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upsetting. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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