upset

[ verb adjective uhp-set; noun uhp-set ]

verb (used with object)

, up·set, up·set·ting.

1. to overturn:

   to upset a pitcher of milk.

2. to disturb mentally or emotionally; perturb:

   The incident upset her.

   Synonyms: fluster, disconcert, unnerve

   Antonyms: steady

3. to disturb or derange completely; put out of order; throw into disorder:

   to upset a system; to upset a mechanism; to upset an apartment.

   Antonyms: steady

4. to disturb physically:

   It upset his stomach.

5. to defeat or overthrow an opponent that is considered more formidable, as in war, politics, or sports.

   Synonyms: displace, depose

6. Metalworking. to thicken the end of (a piece of heated metal) by hammering on the end against the length of the piece.

verb (used without object)

, up·set, up·set·ting.

1. to become upset or overturned.

noun

1. an upsetting or instance of being upset; overturn; overthrow.
2. the defeat of a person, team, etc., that is considered more formidable.
3. a nervous, irritable state of mind.

   Synonyms: disturbance, perturbation

4. a disordered or confused arrangement.

   Synonyms: mess

5. Metalworking.
   1. a tool used for upsetting.
   2. something that is upset, as a bar end.

adjective

1. overturned:

   an upset milk pail.

2. disordered; disorganized:

   The house is upset.

3. distressed; disturbed:

   She had an upset stomach. He is emotionally upset.

   Synonyms: annoyed, agitated, disconcerted

4. Archaic. raised up.

upset

verb

1. also intr to tip or be tipped over; overturn, capsize, or spill
2. to disturb the normal state, course, or stability of

   to upset the balance of nature

3. to disturb mentally or emotionally
4. to defeat or overthrow, usually unexpectedly
5. to make physically ill

   seafood always upsets my stomach

6. to thicken or spread (the end of a bar, rivet, etc) by forging, hammering, or swagging

noun

1. an unexpected defeat or reversal, as in a contest or plans
2. a disturbance or disorder of the emotions, body, etc
3. a tool used to upset a bar or rivet; swage
4. a forging or bar that has been upset in preparation for further processing

adjective

1. overturned or capsized
2. emotionally or physically disturbed or distressed
3. disordered; confused
4. defeated or overthrown

Derived Forms

• upˈsetter, noun
• upˈsettable, adjective
• upˈsettingly, adverb
• upˈsetting, adjective

Other Words From

• up·setta·ble adjective
• up·setter noun
• up·setting·ly adverb
• unup·set adjective
• unup·setta·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of upset¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English: “raised up”; up-, set

Word History and Origins

Origin of upset¹

C14 (in the sense: to set up, erect; C19 in the sense: to overthrow); related to Middle High German ūfsetzen to put on, Middle Dutch opzetten

Synonym Study

Upset, capsize, overturn imply a change from an upright or other stable position to a prostrate one. Upset is a familiar word, applied to simple, everyday actions: to upset a table, a glass of water. Capsize is applied especially to the upsetting of a boat or other vessel: to capsize a canoe. Overturn usually suggests violence in upsetting something supposedly stable: The earthquake overturned houses. All three are used figuratively, also: to upset the stock market; to capsize a plan; to overturn a government.

Example Sentences

Tropicana loyalists are upset over a recent bottle redesign that not only alters the aesthetic but also reduces capacity.

From Salon

The judge thanked the jury for the “care” with which they had carried out their task and listened to the “deeply upsetting evidence” during the trial.

From BBC

That same enthusiasm vaulted Lurie, a centrist Democrat who has never held elected office, to an upset victory this month in his mayoral bid against incumbent London Breed and three other City Hall veterans.

From Los Angeles Times

They upset second-seeded Marshall 19-6 in the first round on Nov. 13 and showed up at No. 6 Eagle Rock brimming with confidence, in large part because they have kept their routine the same.

From Los Angeles Times

"Everything we do will always upset a small group of people but you just have to move forward," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• agitate
• bewilder
• dismay
• distract
• disturb
• perturb
• unnerve
• unsettle