upset

[uhp-set, uhp-set]

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.

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

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

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of upset¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of upset¹

C14 (in the sense: to set up, erect; C19 in the sense: to overthrow); related to Middle High German ūfsetzen to put on, Middle Dutch opzetten

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

He said he was still upset after what he had seen and hoped the children would be alright.

Read more on BBC

Both batters brought up their half-centuries but their dismissals reopened the door for Bangladesh, who sniffed an upset.

Read more on Barron's

A Pew Research study from early 2025 found that 57% of U.S. adults think children’s caretakers place far too little focus on teaching boys to talk about their feelings when they’re sad or upset.

Read more on Salon

The unexpected arrival of the Epstein associate upset the camp’s routines.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It then lost in massive upsets to winless UCLA, which knocked it out of the top 25, and to Northwestern at home on Saturday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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