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

• upsettable adjective
• upsetter noun
• upsettingly adverb
• unupset adjective
• unupsettable adjective
• upsetting 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 did not respond and blocked the accounts, but said he found it "strange and upsetting".

Read more on BBC

Her first son, my uncle, and his wife were very upset about the will.

Read more on MarketWatch

Considering the Giants were winless and the Chargers were undefeated, it counted as one of the biggest early season upsets.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

That’s when Downton and his little Vanderbilt fan club tuned into their weekly football game and found themselves glued to one of the greatest upsets in college football history.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Tens of millions saw his talent in full force when he posted 163 yards and a score in a semifinal upset over Michigan.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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