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

Verstappen was upset by Russell's behaviour when they went to the stewards to discuss the incident.

From BBC

“She started screaming, shouting - she said she hadn’t given birth to a child. She didn't want anything to do with me,” Tamuna recalls, explaining she felt more surprised than upset by the response.

From BBC

The court heard he was upset by text messages he had seen exchanged between Mrs MacDonald, 34, and her boss.

From BBC

No team in college football has been more dominant since the Irish were upset by Northern Illinois early in the season.

From Los Angeles Times

Jodean, who has a son in year five, told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "My children are so happy to be here, it would be upsetting if it shut."

From BBC

Related Words

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