upset

American  

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

verb (used with object)

upsets, present (3rd person singular) upset, past participle, past upsetting present participle

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)

upsets, present (3rd person singular) upset, past participle, past upsetting present participle

1. to become upset or overturned.

noun

upsets plural

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

Synonym Usage

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• upsets
  plural

Participles

• upsetting
  present
• upset
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• upset
  simple
• upsets
  simple
• have upset
  perfect
• has upset
  perfect
• am upsetting
  progressive
• are upsetting
  progressive
• is upsetting
  progressive
• have been upsetting
  perfect progressive
• has been upsetting
  perfect progressive

Past

• upset
  simple
• had upset
  perfect
• was upsetting
  progressive
• were upsetting
  progressive
• had been upsetting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will upset
  simple
• will have upset
  perfect
• will be upsetting
  progressive
• will have been upsetting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of upset

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

Explanation

To be upset is to be disturbed or very unhappy. You can be upset, and you can also upset someone — but you probably didn’t mean to. Upset has multiple senses. It generally refers to something that has been knocked over, turned upside down, or disturbed. Just as your coffee cup can be upset — knocked over or disturbed –- so can your emotions –- and your stomach. Upset can also refer to an unexpected victory. You might be so upset by the upset of your favorite team that you upset your table in frustration.

Example Sentences

Upset Lidl shoppers have complained on social media the supermarket chain's updated loyalty scheme is less generous than before.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

The all-caps ad beckoned Tipton with an oft-used refrain directed at protagonist Carol Sturka: “We’re Sorry We Upset You, Carol.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Upset victories by double-digit seeds are not just a big deal for busted tournament brackets.

From New York Times • Mar. 22, 2024

Upset, he said he planned to find a clinic elsewhere that would offer him a shot.

From Seattle Times • May 29, 2023

Upset by events, Guiteau saw clearly that the factions of the Republican Party must be united.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

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