up·set
(ˌ)əp-ˈset 
upset; upsetting
1
: to thicken and shorten (something, such as a heated bar of iron) by hammering on the end : swage
2
: to force out of the usual upright, level, or proper position : overturn
3
a
: to trouble mentally or emotionally : disturb the poise of
the news upset me
b
: to throw into disorder
c
d
: to defeat unexpectedly
was upset in the primary
4
: to cause a physical disorder in
specifically
: to make somewhat ill
spicy food upsets my stomach
: to become overturned
upsetter
noun
1
: an act of overturning : overturn
2
a(1)
: an act of throwing into disorder : disarrangement
(2)
: a state of disorder : confusion
b
: an unexpected defeat
3
a
: a minor physical disorder
a stomach upset
b
: an emotional disturbance
went through a big upset after his father's death
4
a
: a part of a rod (such as the head on a bolt) that is upset
b
: the expansion of a bullet on striking
up·set
(ˌ)əp-ˈset
1
: emotionally disturbed or agitated
was too upset to speak to him
2
: affected with minor physical disturbance or disorder
an upset stomach
Synonyms
Examples of upset in a Sentence
Verb
That remark you made really upset me.
Don't upset yourself over it.
It upsets him that he can do nothing to help.
A lot of people were upset by the court's decision.
It upsets me to think I might never see him again.
Spicy food upsets my stomach.
Noun
In a major upset, he took the gold medal.
Her victory in the election was a big upset.
Spicy foods can cause stomach upset.
An emotional upset can affect your physical health.
a period of emotional upset
Adjective
I was feeling upset by the whole experience.
There's no point in getting all upset about it.
I try not to let her make me upset.
She was too upset to speak to him.
I'm upset that you didn't call.
I was so upset with him, I didn't call him for two weeks.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hanna Ziady, CNN, 5 Sep. 2024
Bronze: Newman/Alshon ———————— Women’s Pro Doubles Recap The early rounds of the Women’s pro doubles draw featured one minor and one major upset.
—Todd Boss, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
Mike Deehan, Axios, 4 Sep. 2024
Other big Top 25 matchups to kick off Week 1 included mini upsets by Notre Dame over Texas A&M out of the SEC, 23-13 in a game that was tied with less than 2 minutes remaining in the contest.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Sep. 2024
This time around, the crowd rooted for Navarro to extend the match and pull the upset, but Sabalenka was too mentally tough to let the fans bother her.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for upset 
Verb
Related article Oasis fans upset by high prices and long delays on Ticketmaster site
Fans trying to buy tickets over the weekend to the British rock band’s 2025 tour complained on social media of inflated prices, long waits and error messages on Ticketmaster’s website.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN, 5 Sep. 2024
Bronze: Newman/Alshon ———————— Women’s Pro Doubles Recap The early rounds of the Women’s pro doubles draw featured one minor and one major upset.
—Todd Boss, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
Noun
An upset is brewing in Cambridge, where democratic socialist challenger Evan MacKay declared victory over Progressive Rep. Marjorie Decker, per the Globe.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 4 Sep. 2024
Other big Top 25 matchups to kick off Week 1 included mini upsets by Notre Dame over Texas A&M out of the SEC, 23-13 in a game that was tied with less than 2 minutes remaining in the contest.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
Adjective
The balance has been upset, because there aren’t many dramas for grownups at the moment.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Sep. 2024
This time around, the crowd rooted for Navarro to extend the match and pull the upset, but Sabalenka was too mentally tough to let the fans bother her.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for upset
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'upset.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near upset
Cite this Entry
“Upset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upset. Accessed 11 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upset
1 of 3 verb
up·set
(ˌ)əp-ˈset
upset; upsetting
1
: to force or be forced out of the usual position : overturn
2
a
: to worry, anger, or cause unhappiness to
the news upset me
b
: to make somewhat ill
spicy food upsets my stomach
3
a
: to throw into disorder
b
: to defeat unexpectedly
upset
2 of 3 noun
up·set
ˈəp-ˌset
1
: an act or result of upsetting : a state of being upset
2
a
: a minor illness
a stomach upset
b
: a period of worry or unhappiness
upset
3 of 3 adjective
up·set
(ˌ)əp-ˈset
: emotionally disturbed or shaken up
was too upset to talk
Medical Definition
upset
1 of 3 transitive verb
up·set
(ˌ)əp-ˈset
upset; upsetting
1
: to trouble mentally or emotionally
the news upset me
2
: to cause a physical disorder in
specifically
: to make somewhat ill
greasy food upsets my stomach
upset
2 of 3 noun
up·set
ˈəp-ˌset
1
: a minor physical disorder
a stomach upset
2
: an emotional disturbance
upset
3 of 3 adjective
up·set
(ˌ)əp-ˈset
1
: affected with a minor physical disturbance
an upset stomach
2
: emotionally disturbed or agitated
was too upset to speak
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