Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for upsetting on Thesaurus.com tending to disturb or upset : an upsetting experience. Show More
Origin of upsetting First recorded in
1870–75; upset +
-ing2 upset [verb, adjective uhp-set ; noun uhp -set]
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. Show More
verb (used without object), up·set, up·set·ting. to become upset or overturned. Show More
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. Show More
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. Show More
Origin of upset 1300–50; Middle English: raised up; see
up- ,
set Related forms up·set·ta·ble , adjective up·set·ter , noun up·set·ting·ly , adverb un·up·set , adjective un·up·set·ta·ble , adjective Synonyms for upset See more synonyms for 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. 2 . unnerve, disconcert, fluster. 5 . depose, displace. 10 . perturbation, disturbance. 11 . mess. 15 . disconcerted, agitated, perturbed, annoyed.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for upsetting troublesome ,
embarrassing ,
annoying ,
worrisome ,
distressing ,
startling ,
alarming ,
threatening ,
discouraging ,
irritating ,
unpleasant ,
inconvenient ,
painful ,
disquieting ,
depressing ,
disruptive ,
trying ,
frightening ,
tiresome ,
creepy Examples from the Web for upsetting Contemporary Examples of upsetting Roberts has shown a tendency in other political law cases to make broad pronouncements, upsetting precedent.
What is upsetting , especially in a book about what Dunham has “learned,” is how much weight she puts on being in a relationship.
Most recently, Grothman attacked Secretary of State John Kerry for upsetting God.
On the other hand, upsetting and alienating a large percentage of the population such as the Sunnis is a recipe for disaster.
And, yes, this conversation must include addressing the role Islam plays—even at the risk of upsetting some of my fellow Muslims.
Historical Examples of upsetting This upsetting of her plans and hopes worried Thankful not a little.
They keep 'phoning and telegraphing and upsetting things generally.
This pressure of interrogation was upsetting the restraint he was putting on himself.
You understand that nothing is more disturbing than the upsetting of a preconceived idea.
What I feared was a shrill note escaping me involuntarily and upsetting my balance.
British Dictionary definitions for upsetting 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 Show More
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 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 Show More
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 Show More
overturned or capsized emotionally or physically disturbed or distressed disordered; confused defeated or overthrown Show More
Derived Forms upsettable , adjective upsetter , noun upsetting , adjective upsettingly , 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
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Word Origin and History for upsetting v. mid-15c., "to set up, fix," from up + set (v.). Cf. Middle Dutch opsetten , German aufsetzen . Modern sense of "overturn, capsize" (1803) is that of obsolete overset . Meaning "to throw into mental discomposure" is from 1805. The noun sense of "overturning of a vehicle or boat" is recorded from 1804.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
