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.

"It's quite upsetting because I've worked really hard for the last three years to achieve a 2:1 just to be rejected for not having experience."

From BBC • Mar. 18, 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

At the WBC in 2023, it reached the quarterfinals for the first time after upsetting South Korea.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 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

We just ran away from Hogwarts because we were frightened of upsetting things, but this is okay?

From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling

upsetting

Example Sentences

Related Words