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

Will Baker Mayfield and the Bucs gut out an upset win at Arrowhead Stadium? —

David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 Meanwhile, Trump leads Harris by 2.6 points in FiveThirtyEight’s weighted polling average, raising the prospect of Trump retaking the state after Biden won it in a 2020 upset. —

Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Verb

On top of that, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—not to mention China—have joined forces to upset the post–World War II order. —

Nick Rockel, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024 There's nothing wrong with the manager throwing a hand grenade into his own dressing room just to upset a few and keep people on their toes. —

Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Noun

Politics This Democrat pulled off one of the country’s biggest upsets. —

Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 But last week's slate still included outright wins by the Cardinals (4.5-point underdogs in Miami and the headliners of our Week 8 upsets column), Rams (2.5-point home underdogs vs. Minnesota) and Browns. —

Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for upset

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset

Adjective

Although dissenters are worried about the cost, the climate change crisis harms everyone, even those who don’t live in a region that is at risk of wildfires.

Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Many Americans are not only worried about the outcome, but what might happen in the aftermath, regardless of who wins.

Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024