upsetting

adjective

up·​set·​ting (ˌ)əp-ˈse-tiŋ 

: mentally or emotionally troubling or disturbing : causing feelings of worry or anxiety

heard some upsetting news

an upsetting experience

We're up to [a deficit of] $1.5 trillion a year …. These numbers are truly upsetting.

—Bill Gates

Professors issue, or students demand, trigger warnings when presenting material that might be upsetting to some: depictions of rape, sexism, racism, suicide.

—Yvonne Abraham

upsettingly adverb

an upsettingly graphic depiction of violence

In comparison to male historical figures, the number of women that we learn about throughout school is upsettingly low.

—Alexis Gardner

Synonyms

• discomforting
• discomposing
• disquieting
• distressing
• disturbing
• nagging
• nasty
• perturbing
• troublesome
• troubling
• troublous
• unsettling
• worrisome

Examples of upsetting in a Sentence

the constant arguing is upsetting to a sensitive person like your grandmother

Recent Examples on the Web

At age 15, the legendary Chris Evert had the first really big win of her career in Charlotte in 1970 at Olde Providence, upsetting world No. 1 Margaret Court. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2024

Nothing is more upsetting for a client than to learn that their vendor has a lapse in licensing or insurance. —Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2024

Mitchell had gotten into Congress by upsetting six-term Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., in a 2006 political battle royale. —Dan Nowicki, The Arizona Republic, 26 May 2024

Her back is up against the wall, and losing or not having a little bit of support in a season is very upsetting. —EW.com, 12 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above