upsetting

[uhp-set-ing] / ʌpˈsɛt ɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

disturbing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alarming annoying bothersome creepy depressing disconcerting discouraging disquieting disruptive distressing embarrassing frightening inconvenient irritating painful startling threatening tiresome troublesome troubling trying unpleasant vexing worrisome worrying

STRONG

aggravating agitating discommoding discomposing dismaying foreboding harassing impeding perplexing perturbing provoking unsettling

WEAK

burdensome consequential difficult disagreeable discomforting distressful gloomy hard intrusive irksome laborious ominous onerous pessimistic prophetic severe sinister toilsome troublous uncertain wearisome

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable calming comforting convenient delightful easy encouraging facile good happy helpful nice pleasant pleasing settling soothing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

upsetting

There are some sad ironies stitched into the plot, and an upsetting late twist, though the show doesn’t wallow in it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

Widdecombe's management team then released another statement, saying they were "absolutely devastated" by news of the police investigation "following a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours".

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

The fact is, life is a minefield of potential hurt feelings, and it’s hard for people to navigate it without upsetting some.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026

SpaceX also aggressively built up its satellite communications business with Starlink, upsetting executives who both rely on SpaceX rockets and compete with the internet service.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

What I found particularly upsetting was the fact that Danny didn’t seem to have rejected what Freud taught.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok

upsetting

Example Sentences

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