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.

The jury foreperson, who gave the verdicts in court, wiped her eyes as the judge thanked them for their attention to the "upsetting" case.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Team Italy became an unlikely darling of the WBC, sweeping the opening round and upsetting the U.S. to become one of three undefeated teams.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

That year, Maria Sharapova, 17 and fresh off upsetting Serena Williams to win Wimbledon a few months before, lost 6-0, 6-0 in the semifinals to American Lindsay Davenport.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

Dr Anne Eyre, director of the Centre for Collective Trauma, believes that for some living in Soham, having Huntley back in the headlines will be deeply upsetting.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

Theo is distraught that he's upsetting his parents so.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

upsetting

Example Sentences

Related Words