upset
to overturn: to upset a pitcher of milk.
to disturb mentally or emotionally; perturb: The incident upset her.
to disturb or derange completely; put out of order; throw into disorder: to upset a system; to upset a mechanism; to upset an apartment.
to disturb physically: It upset his stomach.
to defeat or overthrow an opponent that is considered more formidable, as in war, politics, or sports.
Metalworking. to thicken the end of (a piece of heated metal) by hammering on the end against the length of the piece.
to become upset or overturned.
an upsetting or instance of being upset; overturn; overthrow.
the defeat of a person, team, etc., that is considered more formidable.
a nervous, irritable state of mind.
a disordered or confused arrangement.
Metalworking.
a tool used for upsetting.
something that is upset, as a bar end.
overturned: an upset milk pail.
disordered; disorganized: The house is upset.
distressed; disturbed: She had an upset stomach. He is emotionally upset.
Archaic. raised up.
Origin of upset
1synonym study For upset
Other words for upset
2 | unnerve, disconcert, fluster |
5 | depose, displace |
10 | perturbation, disturbance |
11 | mess |
15 | disconcerted, agitated, perturbed, annoyed |
Opposites for upset
Other words from upset
- up·set·ta·ble, adjective
- up·set·ter, noun
- up·set·ting·ly, adverb
- un·up·set, adjective
- un·up·set·ta·ble, adjective
Words Nearby upset
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use upset in a sentence
Most people think that asking a sensitive question will upset the person being asked.
Can I Ask You a Ridiculously Personal Question? (Ep. 451) | Stephen J. Dubner | February 11, 2021 | FreakonomicsThat took one of the best options off the table for the Colts, who went 11-5 this season, nearly upset the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs and appear to need only an above-average, experienced quarterback to enter next season as a Super Bowl contender.
Colts owner quells Andrew Luck rumors: ‘We have to get on with the business of reality’ | Des Bieler | February 5, 2021 | Washington PostThe Giants scored a few plays later,and upset the Patriots, 17-14.
In the 2019 Netflix movie “Otherhood,” Angela Bassett plays a mom so upset her son forgot Mother’s Day that she moves into his apartment uninvited.
It’s time to end the TV trope of the needy empty-nest mom | Michele Weldon | February 2, 2021 | Washington PostSo I think sometimes that does get to me, and I do get very upset.
What “baby bust”? New and soon-to-be parents on choosing to have kids in dark times | Chris Chafin | February 1, 2021 | Vox
The banquet was paid for with public funds, and taxpayers were understandably upset.
“I would recommend ginger tea first thing in the morning as a great way to ward off an upset stomach,” says White.
Hitchcock reacts as if he has an upset stomach--and that I gave it to him.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days | David Freeman | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAs long as the mirror refused to say that she was the most beautiful woman in the land, she would remain upset.
In New Brothers Grimm 'Snow White', The Prince Doesn't Save Her | The Brothers Grimm | November 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI thought if I cooperated it would make it better… I was so upset that day.
Exclusive: Michael Phelps’s Intersex Self-Proclaimed Girlfriend, Taylor Lianne Chandler, Tells All | Aurora Snow | November 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt would not do to allow his son to do anything that would upset his dignity, though he loved him very much indeed.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. PikeBut in a moment a subject was started that entirely diverted his mind and upset the lively tenor of the breakfast-table.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonWilkins got such a start that he tripped over one of the thwarts in trying to take aim, and nearly upset the boat.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. BallantyneHe was naturally frightfully upset about it, and a regular panic sprang up in the neighbourhood.
Uncanny Tales | VariousThe news caused general concern throughout the house, and Ethne was frightfully upset.
Uncanny Tales | Various
British Dictionary definitions for upset
(also intr) to tip or be tipped over; overturn, capsize, or spill
to disturb the normal state, course, or stability of: to upset the balance of nature
to disturb mentally or emotionally
to defeat or overthrow, usually unexpectedly
to make physically ill: seafood always upsets my stomach
to thicken or spread (the end of a bar, rivet, etc) by forging, hammering, or swagging
an unexpected defeat or reversal, as in a contest or plans
a disturbance or disorder of the emotions, body, etc
a tool used to upset a bar or rivet; swage
a forging or bar that has been upset in preparation for further processing
overturned or capsized
emotionally or physically disturbed or distressed
disordered; confused
defeated or overthrown
Origin of upset
1Derived forms of upset
- upsettable, adjective
- upsetter, noun
- upsetting, adjective
- upsettingly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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