upsetting

adjective

up·​set·​ting (ˌ)əp-ˈse-tiŋ How to pronounce upsetting (audio)
: 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

Examples of upsetting in a Sentence

the constant arguing is upsetting to a sensitive person like your grandmother
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Balance upsetting coverage with good news, stories of progress, and examples of people who have gone through tragedy and made it to the other side. Allie Volpe, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024 Dye notes that the upsetting details of the case in the quiet Mississippi beach town have had reverberating effects on the small seaside community. Emily Palmer, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024 Naturally, not having the usual fast start is likely very upsetting to the Cowboys. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024 The challenge in Democracy games is implementing your policies without upsetting people so badly that you’re overthrown or assassinated. Barry Collins, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for upsetting 

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of upsetting was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near upsetting

Cite this Entry

“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upsetting. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on upsetting

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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