upset 1 of 3

adjective

(ˌ)əp-ˈset How to pronounce upset (audio)
Definition of upsetnext
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty she was upset by the unexplained change in plans

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

upset

2 of 3

verb

(ˌ)əp-ˈset How to pronounce upset (audio)
1
as in to worry
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 to overturn
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 to disrupt
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

upset

3 of 3

noun

ˈəp-ˌset How to pronounce upset (audio)
as in disruption
an act or instance of the order of things being disturbed the move to a new town is just the latest in a series of upsets for my family over the last year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb upset contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of upset are agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, fluster, and perturb. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

When is it sensible to use agitate instead of upset?

While the synonyms agitate and upset are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

In what contexts can discompose take the place of upset?

Although the words discompose and upset have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When can disquiet be used instead of upset?

The synonyms disquiet and upset are sometimes interchangeable, but disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

When might disturb be a better fit than upset?

In some situations, the words disturb and upset are roughly equivalent. However, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

When could fluster be used to replace upset?

The words fluster and upset are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When would perturb be a good substitute for upset?

The meanings of perturb and upset largely overlap; however, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

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 upset
Adjective
An easier place to start could be the less recognizable Hammer titles, the ones less likely to spark upset among aficionados. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026 After top seed Minnesota was upset in the first round, the Valkyries now have home court throughout the postseason. — Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
But the decision to portray an unemployed moocher as a young, White, cheeseball-chomping gamer named Brad upset some conservative commentators last week. — CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 Yes, the Jaguars are obviously much happier after going into Cincinnati and upsetting the Bengals. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
New Orleans did just that in its 24-17 upset of the Ravens in Week 2, holding Henry to 68 rushing yards and limiting him to 17 yards on five carries in the second half. — Briana Aldridge, CBS News, 26 Sep. 2026 In one of the biggest upsets in Hooters calendar history, the brand announced this week that an Ohio woman, Sophia Zullo, was the 2027 bikini calendar cover model. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upset
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset
  1. worried
  2. worry
  3. overturn
  4. disrupt
  5. disruption
  6. nervous
  7. disturb
  8. capsize
Adjective
  • Not that the type of people staying here are worried about getting anywhere; this is the private car and driver, door-to-door service type of clientele.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But instead of celebrating that success, Andi is worried she’ll be seen as an opportunist rather than a legitimate co-author.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of worried
Verb
  • Nothing to worry about, though, as the hotel is located in a neighborhood packed with restaurants and bars of all sorts.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Following these reports, concerns are circulating about what exactly caused the death and quarantine — and just how worried the rest of the world should be.
    — Renée Onque, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • The bankruptcy filing comes months after the Sacramento County Board of Education overturned Twin Rivers Unified’s decision to revoke the charters, and the district appealed that ruling to the California State Board of Education.
    — Chaewon Chung Updated October 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In September, Wagner heard arguments on Yust’s motion to overturn his convictions.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of overturn
Verb
  • Gone are the four nations, corresponding to the elements, who coexisted in harmony that was disrupted and then, episode by episode, restored.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The measure drew support from numerous Cornell students and Ithaca residents, although some graduate students raised concerns that the restrictions were overly broad and could disrupt activities unrelated to Greek life.
    — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of disrupt
Noun
  • Asian economies are among the biggest customers of energy shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea, making any prolonged disruption particularly consequential for the region.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • First, through funding from technology-native companies; and second, through disruption in distribution, whether via streaming or other non-conventional forms that are now mainstream.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of disruption
Adjective
  • Everyone was in a good mood, if a little nervous about what was going to be discussed.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Alberto Hernandez Castillo, a Cuban national with lawful permanent residence in the United States, was also acting nervous, the agent said.
    — David Goodhue October 6, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of nervous
Verb
  • If anything, the University of Toronto researchers discovered, we humans are the ones disturbing our dogs’ sleep.
    — Gina Vivinetto, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The disembodied emcee voice for the performance only asks that flash not be used, and that any photography or videography not disturb surrounding attendees.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • The crew of a civilian boat, the Tripiti, rescued four people the day after the boat capsized, the Coast Guard said.
    — David Goodhue October 2, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Weeks later, Harris and his brother went fishing in Suisun Bay, where their boat capsized, and Harris was reported missing.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of capsize

Browse Nearby Words

upscale
upset
upsets
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Cite this Entry

“Upset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upset. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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