upset

[ verb, adjective uhp-set; noun uhp-set ]

/ verb, adjective ʌpˈsɛt; noun ˈʌpˌsɛt /

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See synonyms for: upset / upsetting / upsetter on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), up·set, up·set·ting.

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.

verb (used without object), up·set, up·set·ting.

to become upset or overturned.

noun

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.

adjective

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR upset

2 unnerve, disconcert, fluster.

5 depose, displace.

10 perturbation, disturbance.

11 mess.

15 disconcerted, agitated, perturbed, annoyed.

See synonyms for upset on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR upset

2, 3 steady.

See antonyms for upset on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of upset

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

synonym study for upset

1. 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 WORDS FROM upset

up·set·ta·ble, adjectiveup·set·ter, nounup·set·ting·ly, adverbun·up·set, adjective

un·up·set·ta·ble, adjective

Words nearby upset

upsa-daisy, Upsala, ups and downs, upscale, upsell, upset, upset price, upset the applecart, upsetting, upsetting lever, upsetting moment

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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|Freakonomics
That 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 Post
The Giants scored a few plays later,and upset the Patriots, 17-14.
Super Bowl heroes aren’t always superstars|Fred Bowen|February 3, 2021|Washington Post
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 Post

So 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.
China’s Internet Is Freer Than You Think|Brendon Hong|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I would recommend ginger tea first thing in the morning as a great way to ward off an upset stomach,” says White.
5 Hangover Cures to Save You After a Few Too Many|DailyBurn|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
As 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|DAILY BEAST
I 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|DAILY BEAST
It 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. Pike
But in a moment a subject was started that entirely diverted his mind and upset the lively tenor of the breakfast-table.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Wilkins 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. Ballantyne
He was naturally frightfully upset about it, and a regular panic sprang up in the neighbourhood.
Uncanny Tales|Various
The news caused general concern throughout the house, and Ethne was frightfully upset.
Uncanny Tales|Various

British Dictionary definitions for upset

upset

verb (ʌpˈsɛt) -sets, -setting or -set (mainly tr)

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

to disturb the normal state, course, or stability ofto upset the balance of nature

to disturb mentally or emotionally

to defeat or overthrow, usually unexpectedly

to make physically illseafood always upsets my stomach

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

noun (ˈʌpˌsɛt)

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

adjective (ʌpˈsɛt)

overturned or capsized

emotionally or physically disturbed or distressed

disordered; confused

defeated or overthrown

Derived forms of upset

upsettable, adjectiveupsetter, nounupsetting, adjectiveupsettingly, adverb

Word Origin for upset

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

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

upset

OTHER WORDS FOR upset

OPPOSITES FOR upset

Origin of upset

synonym study for upset

OTHER WORDS FROM upset

Words nearby upset

Words related to upset

How to use upset in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for upset

Derived forms of upset

Word Origin for upset