upsetting

[uhp-set-ing]

adjective

1. tending to disturb or upset.

   an upsetting experience.

upsetting

/ ʌpˈsɛtɪŋ /

noun

1. metallurgy the process of hammering the end of a heated bar of metal so that its width is increased locally, as in the manufacture of bolts

Word History and Origins

Origin of upsetting¹

First recorded in 1870–75; upset + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Mr Brooke said to jurors that it was "a particularly horrifying case", and they would be shown upsetting material.

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The school said it sought advice from police after a "high volume of direct correspondence and public social media posts" that it said was upsetting for staff, parents and governors.

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"I understand that this news might be upsetting for families," she added.

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The nursery apologised for the "deeply upsetting" incident after the Care Inspectorate upheld five complaints over failings in care and communication.

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The problem is that more production pressures prices, upsetting the supply-demand balance and eating up any potential benefits of investment.

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Related Words

• alarming 
• annoying 
• bothersome 
• creepy 
• depressing 
• disconcerting 
• discouraging www.thesaurus.com
• disquieting 
• disruptive 
• distressing www.thesaurus.com
• embarrassing www.thesaurus.com
• frightening www.thesaurus.com
• inconvenient 
• irritating 
• painful 
• startling 
• threatening 
• tiresome 
• troublesome 
• troubling www.thesaurus.com