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

Bad things happen when good people stand by and say nothing, even if they are trying to avoid rocking the boat, fear upsetting people or risk ruining a relationship.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

This decision, though, was so upsetting that it drew a sharp dissent from Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026

Su Christie said it was "incredibly upsetting" to see the footage of how her father had been treated.

From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026

“We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong,” Converse said in a statement to Footwear News on Friday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 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

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