as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
the constant arguing is upsetting to a sensitive person like your grandmother
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
the smallest things can upset us if we're already stressed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overturning
to turn on one's side or upside down
the narrow boat upsets easily and should be handled with care
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disrupting
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
the change in the bus schedule upset our daily routine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of upsetting
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Even writing that sentence is still very upsetting to me.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Figueroa immediately informed Oduko's brother in Ghana, Shiva, of his arrest, and the siblings initially kept it from their mother, Rita, to avoid upsetting her.
—Janelle Griffith, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Adjective
The news of Broadbelt’s death was extremely upsetting and scary, Rhodriguez said.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Even writing that sentence is still very upsetting to me.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
Still, the visitors were the ones upsetting stomachs across Twins Territory with absurd mistakes on the base paths.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Figueroa immediately informed Oduko's brother in Ghana, Shiva, of his arrest, and the siblings initially kept it from their mother, Rita, to avoid upsetting her.
—Janelle Griffith, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upsetting
Adjective
-
That's depicted in a disturbing, if somewhat inscrutable, scene.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Possibly, something disturbing will occur because someone has decided to make emotional demands on you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The tackling was alarming enough that the Broncos were practicing on Monday with live tackles, something that’s not seen too often once the season starts.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Sep. 2025
-
The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Several of President Donald Trump‘s firings of independent agency heads have made their way through the Supreme Court‘s emergency docket, but Tuesday’s ruling in a federal appeals court likely moves the justices closer to overturning a 90-year precedent on the issue.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The bus exited the roadway and struck a ditch before overturning onto the driver’s side.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Analysts, however, worry if the licenses will be approved fast enough to avoid disrupting operations abroad.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
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Soft-spoken and unrelenting, Alboury emerges as the only moral voice in a land of postcolonial abandon, refusing to let Cal get away with what may be homicide, while disrupting Horn’s romantic first night with Leonie.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In turn, chickens have become a powerful — if not somewhat unsettling — example of how acutely humans can dictate the evolutionary destiny of other species.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Having previously allowed Alessia Russo, Ona Batlle and Mary Earps to run their contracts into the final stages — a situation the club say was unsettling for the squad — United were determined not to make the same error.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This combination lends itself to transitions from focus to out of focus and background blur (bokeh) that's smooth and free of distracting elements.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In class, Danny continues to be disorderly, challenging Maria’s authority, throwing stuff when angry, completely distracting and even frightening the other students.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In such a large, complex, dangerous, and confusing world, can one person make a difference to anything?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
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These fictional AIs tapped into our deepest worries about healthcare—long waits at the doctor's office, confusing medical information and the wish for constant health guidance.—
Sanath Chilakala,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In Wind River, the investigation into Natalie's death is hindered by a troubling legal gap.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In addition—and even more troubling—there remains a question of what this means for the work environment at the DOJ.—
Andrew Binns,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upsetting. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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