upset

American  

[uhp-set, uhp-set] / ʌpˈsɛt, ˈʌpˌsɛt /

verb (used with object)

upset, upsetting

1. to overturn.

   to upset a pitcher of milk.

2. to disturb mentally or emotionally; perturb.

   The incident upset her.

   Synonyms:

   fluster, disconcert, unnerve

   Antonyms:

   steady

3. to disturb or derange completely; put out of order; throw into disorder.

   to upset a system; to upset a mechanism; to upset an apartment.

   Antonyms:

   steady

4. to disturb physically.

   It upset his stomach.

5. to defeat or overthrow an opponent that is considered more formidable, as in war, politics, or sports.

   Synonyms:

   displace, depose

6. Metalworking. to thicken the end of (a piece of heated metal) by hammering on the end against the length of the piece.

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verb (used without object)

upset, upsetting

1. to become upset or overturned.

noun

1. an upsetting or instance of being upset; overturn; overthrow.

2. the defeat of a person, team, etc., that is considered more formidable.

3. a nervous, irritable state of mind.

   Synonyms:

   disturbance, perturbation

4. a disordered or confused arrangement.

   Synonyms:

   mess

5. Metalworking.

   1. a tool used for upsetting.

   2. something that is upset, as a bar end.

adjective

1. overturned.

   an upset milk pail.

2. disordered; disorganized.

   The house is upset.

3. distressed; disturbed.

   She had an upset stomach. He is emotionally upset.

   Synonyms:

   annoyed, agitated, disconcerted

4. Archaic. raised up.

upset British  

verb

1. (also intr) to tip or be tipped over; overturn, capsize, or spill

2. to disturb the normal state, course, or stability of

   to upset the balance of nature

3. to disturb mentally or emotionally

4. to defeat or overthrow, usually unexpectedly

5. to make physically ill

   seafood always upsets my stomach

6. to thicken or spread (the end of a bar, rivet, etc) by forging, hammering, or swagging

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noun

1. an unexpected defeat or reversal, as in a contest or plans

2. a disturbance or disorder of the emotions, body, etc

3. a tool used to upset a bar or rivet; swage

4. a forging or bar that has been upset in preparation for further processing

adjective

1. overturned or capsized

2. emotionally or physically disturbed or distressed

3. disordered; confused

4. defeated or overthrown

Related Words

Upset, capsize, overturn imply a change from an upright or other stable position to a prostrate one. Upset is a familiar word, applied to simple, everyday actions: to upset a table, a glass of water. Capsize is applied especially to the upsetting of a boat or other vessel: to capsize a canoe. Overturn usually suggests violence in upsetting something supposedly stable: The earthquake overturned houses. All three are used figuratively, also: to upset the stock market; to capsize a plan; to overturn a government.

Other Word Forms

• unupset adjective
• unupsettable adjective
• upsettable adjective
• upsetter noun
• upsetting adjective
• upsettingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of upset

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English: “raised up”; up-, set

Example Sentences

“My son came by when she was picking up her little one, and it got her all upset.”

From Literature

Third seed Gauff was upset when cameras caught her smashing her racquet in the depths of the stadium on Tuesday after she was beaten in the Australian Open quarter-finals.

From Barron's

If there’s a place where “Hamnet,” Zhao’s tender portrait of love and loss centered on the family of William Shakespeare, could pull off a best picture upset, it would be with this group.

From Los Angeles Times

And the EU wouldn't want to upset Washington either.

From BBC

I don’t know if she’s upset with me or if I’m upset with her.

From Literature

Related Words

• agitate
• bewilder
• dismay
• distract
• disturb
• perturb
• unnerve
• unsettle