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 well-dressed Senate aide next door, who asked me not to use his name for fear of upsetting his boss, hadn’t heard about Trump’s fascination with Florsheim.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

Most upsetting, though, was the directive that he and other industry operations investigators received in late summer to start spending at least six hours per week on immigration-related work.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

You might find all this craziness upsetting, or inspiring, or both, but the people inside OpenAI are surprisingly optimistic about the future of mathematicians.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

Berlin is more cautious, fearful of upsetting Beijing and the painful consequences that could bring.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

Who in this school could have a motive for doing something that’s so upsetting to so many people?

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

upsetting

Example Sentences

Related Words