UPSET Synonyms: 255 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'upset' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of upset are agitate , discompose , disquiet , disturb , fluster , and perturb . While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief. // the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

Q: When is it sensible to use 'agitate' instead of 'upset'?

While the synonyms agitate and upset are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement. // in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

Q: In what contexts can 'discompose' take the place of 'upset'?

Although the words discompose and upset have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress. // discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

Q: When can 'disquiet' be used instead of 'upset'?

The synonyms disquiet and upset are sometimes interchangeable, but disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind. // the disquieting news of factories closing

Q: When might 'disturb' be a better fit than 'upset'?

In some situations, the words disturb and upset are roughly equivalent. However, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption. // the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Q: When could 'fluster' be used to replace 'upset'?

The words fluster and upset are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fluster suggests bewildered agitation. // his declaration of love completely flustered her

Q: When would 'perturb' be a good substitute for 'upset'?

The meanings of perturb and upset largely overlap; however, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions. // perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

upset 1 of 3

adjective

(ˌ)əp-ˈset

Definition of upset next

as in worried

feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty she was upset by the unexplained change in plans

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

upset

2 of 3

verb

(ˌ)əp-ˈset

as in to worry

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy the smallest things can upset us if we're already stressed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to overturn

to turn on one's side or upside down the narrow boat upsets easily and should be handled with care

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to disrupt

to undo the proper order or arrangement of the change in the bus schedule upset our daily routine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

upset

3 of 3

noun

ˈəp-ˌset

as in disruption

an act or instance of the order of things being disturbed the move to a new town is just the latest in a series of upsets for my family over the last year

Synonyms & Similar Words

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For

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an upset child

an unhappy child

an agitated child

an emotional child

a distraught child

a perturbed child

upset customers

unhappy customers

displeased customers

unsatisfied customers

outraged customers

angry customers

an upset stomach

a sour stomach

an irritable stomach

an unsettled stomach

an uneasy stomach

a sick stomach

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb upset contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of upset are agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, fluster, and perturb. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

When is it sensible to use agitate instead of upset?

While the synonyms agitate and upset are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

In what contexts can discompose take the place of upset?

Although the words discompose and upset have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When can disquiet be used instead of upset?

The synonyms disquiet and upset are sometimes interchangeable, but disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

When might disturb be a better fit than upset?

In some situations, the words disturb and upset are roughly equivalent. However, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

When could fluster be used to replace upset?

The words fluster and upset are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When would perturb be a good substitute for upset?

The meanings of perturb and upset largely overlap; however, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of upset

Adjective

Hundreds of reviewers note that these soft gels are small and very easy to swallow—just make sure to take them with a meal to avoid an upset tummy (a potential side effect associated with all biotin pills). —

April Benshosan, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2024 The Midshipmen pulled off the upset in Landover, Maryland, 31-13, to increase their all-time series lead, 63-55-7, and end a two-game losing streak to the Black Knights. —

Ryan Morik, Fox News, 18 Dec. 2024

Verb

Blake Horvath runs wild, Midshipmen upset No. 22 Army, 31-13 One dead after Friday morning shooting in Finksburg Trending Nationally Massachusetts man who was sentenced for trafficking oxycodone is on Biden’s clemency list Luigi Mangione’s arrest thrust his family into the spotlight. —

Sherry Greenfield, Baltimore Sun, 14 Dec. 2024 In July, the Little Nicky actor faced backlash for announcing his boycott of the Olympics after being upset by the opening ceremony. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Noun

Season 4 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) was nothing short of exhilarating, filled with packed arenas, buzzer-beaters, thrilling overtime games, unexpected upsets, and inspiring underdog victories. —

Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 However, there were no upsets on this day: Waters cruised to a 9,4 win for the title. —

Todd Boss, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for upset

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset

Adjective

Rather than being concerned that Musk has too much influence over the president-elect, Jayapal should be worried about who’s making decisions for the current president.

Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Dec. 2024
Gift recipients are much less worried about when the gift arrives.

Rebecca Walker Reczek, Cory Haltman, CBS News, 25 Dec. 2024