Definitions Wiki

Upset Definition, Meaning and Synonyms

By Muazma Batool & Muneeza Rehman — Updated on March 1, 2024
Upset means to cause to be unhappy or disturbed. e.g., The bad news upset him greatly.
Upset Definition and Meaning

Upset Definitions

Upset is often used as an adjective or verb, and it refers to a variety of situations:
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
The process of tipping over or overthrowing something, literally causing it to be upside down or in a disordered state.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
To cause to overturn; knock or tip over
upset the flowerpot.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
The act of causing disorder or disarray, disturbing the normal functioning or arrangement.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
In the context of the stomach or digestive system, it refers to being disturbed or unwell, often due to food or drink.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
In a state of being unhappy, disappointed, or worried.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
The act of defeating or overthrowing, especially in a competition or contest where the winner was not expected.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
To disturb the functioning, order, or course of
Protesters upset the meeting by chanting and shouting.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
The act of upsetting or the condition of being upset
the upset of the vase.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
To cause (the stomach) to feel ill.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
To distress or perturb mentally or emotionally
The bad news upset me.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(ŭpsĕt′) To defeat unexpectedly (an opponent favored to win).
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
To make (a heated metal bolt, for example) shorter and thicker by hammering on the end.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
A disturbance, disorder, or state of agitation
an upset of my routine.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
A condition of indigestion
a remedy for stomach upset.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
A game, contest, or election in which the favorite is defeated.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
A tool used for upsetting; a swage.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
An upset part or piece.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Having been overturned
an upset vase.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Exhibiting signs and symptoms of indigestion
an upset stomach.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
In a state of emotional or mental distress; distraught
upset parents.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(of a person) Angry, distressed, or unhappy.
He was upset when she refused his friendship.
My children often get upset with their classmates.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(of a stomach or gastrointestinal tract, referred to as stomach) Feeling unwell, nauseated, or ready to vomit.
His stomach was upset, so he didn't want to move.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(uncountable) disturbance or disruption.
My late arrival caused the professor considerable upset.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
An unexpected victory of a competitor or candidate that was not favored to win.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(automobile insurance) An overturn.
"collision and upset": impact with another object or an overturn for whatever reason.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
An upset stomach.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(mathematics) An upper set; a subset (X,≤) of a partially ordered set with the property that, if x is in U and x≤y, then y is in U.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(aviation) The dangerous situation where the flight attitude or airspeed of an aircraft is outside the designed bounds of operation, possibly resulting in loss of control.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(transitive) To make (a person) angry, distressed, or unhappy.
I’m sure the bad news will upset him, but he needs to know.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(transitive) To disturb, disrupt or adversely alter (something).
Introducing a foreign species can upset the ecological balance.
The fatty meat upset his stomach.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(transitive) To tip or overturn (something).
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(transitive) To defeat unexpectedly.
Truman upset Dewey in the 1948 US presidential election.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(intransitive) To be upset or knocked over.
The carriage upset when the horse bolted.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(obsolete) To set up; to put upright.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
To thicken and shorten, as a heated piece of iron, by hammering on the end.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
To shorten (a tire) in the process of resetting, originally by cutting it and hammering on the ends.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
To set up; to put upright.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
To thicken and shorten, as a heated piece of iron, by hammering on the end.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
To overturn, overthrow, or overset; as, to upset a carriage; to upset an argument.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
To disturb the self-possession of; to disorder the nerves of; to make ill; as, the fright upset her.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
To turn upwards the outer ends of (stakes) so as to make a foundation for the side of a basket or the like; also, to form (the side) in this manner.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
To become upset.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Set up; fixed; determined; - used chiefly or only in the phrase upset price; that is, the price fixed upon as the minimum for property offered in a public sale, or, in an auction, the price at which property is set up or started by the auctioneer, and the lowest price at which it will be sold.
After a solemn pause, Mr. Glossin offered the upset price for the lands and barony of Ellangowan.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
The act of upsetting, or the state of being upset; an overturn; as, the wagon had an upset.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
an unhappy and worried mental state;
there was too much anger and disturbance
she didn't realize the upset she caused me
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
the act of disturbing the mind or body;
his carelessness could have caused an ecological upset
she was unprepared for this sudden overthrow of their normal way of living
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning;
the doctor prescribed some medicine for the disorder
everyone gets stomach upsets from time to time
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
a tool used to thicken or spread (the end of a bar or a rivet etc.) by forging or hammering or swaging
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
the act of upsetting something;
he was badly bruised by the upset of his sled at a high speed
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
an improbable and unexpected victory;
the biggest upset since David beat Goliath
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
disturb the balance or stability of;
The hostile talks upset the peaceful relations between the two countries
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
cause to lose one's composure
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
move deeply;
This book upset me
A troubling thought
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
cause to overturn from an upright or normal position;
The cat knocked over the flower vase
the clumsy customer turned over the vase
he tumped over his beer
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
form metals with a swage
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
defeat suddenly and unexpectedly;
The foreign team upset the local team
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief;
too upset to say anything
spent many disquieted moments
distressed about her son's leaving home
lapsed into disturbed sleep
worried parents
a worried frown
one last worried check of the sleeping children
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
thrown into a state of disarray or confusion;
troops fleeing in broken ranks
a confused mass of papers on the desk
the small disordered room
with everything so upset
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
used of an unexpected defeat of a team favored to win;
the Bills' upset victory over the Houston Oilers
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
mildly physically distressed;
an upset stomach
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
having been turned so that the bottom is no longer the bottom;
an overturned car
the upset pitcher of milk
sat on an upturned bucket
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023

Upset Synonyms

Unsettled

Not feeling calm or at peace.
The unsettling news left everyone feeling anxious.
Kalel
Mar 01, 2024

Displeased

Dissatisfied or annoyed.
The teacher was displeased with the student's late assignment.
Muazma Batool
Mar 01, 2024

Agitated

Feeling or appearing troubled or nervous.
The agitated crowd demanded answers from the officials.
Muazma Batool
Mar 01, 2024

Disturbed

Troubled or agitated emotionally.
He was deeply disturbed by the news of the accident.
Muazma Batool
Mar 01, 2024

Disconcerted

Feeling unsettled or confused.
She was disconcerted by the unexpected question.
Muazma Batool
Mar 01, 2024

Perturbed

Anxious or unsettled; upset.
He was perturbed by the changes in the schedule.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 01, 2024

Annoyed

Slightly angry; irritated.
She was annoyed by the constant interruptions.
Xavier
Mar 01, 2024

Ruffled

To have one's composure, smoothness, or calmness disturbed.
The abrupt question ruffled his otherwise calm demeanor.
Muazma Batool
Mar 01, 2024

Troubled

Beset by problems or conflict.
The troubled student sought advice from her counselor.
Camila
Mar 01, 2024

Distressed

Suffering from anxiety, sorrow, or pain.
The distressed mother searched for her lost child.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 01, 2024

Upset Idioms

Upset the balance

To disrupt the stability or harmony of a situation.
Introducing a new team member at this stage might upset the balance.
Eleanor
Sep 27, 2023

An upset in the making

A situation where an unexpected result or outcome is likely.
The rookie team's lead over the champions suggested an upset in the making.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023

Stomach upset

A mild digestive disorder causing discomfort.
Eating street food gave me a stomach upset.
Eleanor
Sep 27, 2023

Upset the apple cart

To ruin or disturb a plan or process.
Introducing new regulations now would really upset the apple cart for many businesses.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023

Don't get upset over spilled milk

Don't be upset about something that has already happened and can't be changed.
I know you're disappointed about losing the game, but don't get upset over spilled milk.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023

It's enough to upset a saint

Something is very annoying or frustrating.
The constant noise from next door is enough to upset a saint.
Maverick
Sep 27, 2023

No need to get upset

A way to tell someone not to be overly emotional or reactive.
It's just a minor delay, no need to get upset.
Camila
Sep 27, 2023

Upset the status quo

To change or challenge the existing order or way of doing things.
Her innovative ideas certainly upset the status quo in the industry.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023

Upset the odds

To achieve something unexpected, especially when you were not favored to do so.
The young boxer upset the odds when he defeated the reigning champion.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023

To be visibly upset

To clearly show signs of distress or unhappiness.
After hearing the news, she was visibly upset.
Smith
Sep 27, 2023

Upset one's plans

To disrupt someone's plans or intentions.
The sudden rainstorm really upset our plans for a beach day.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023

A major upset

An unexpected result, especially in sports.
The underdog team's victory was a major upset.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023

Nothing to get upset about

It's not a big deal; there's no reason for concern.
It's just a tiny scratch on the car, nothing to get upset about.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023

Upset the boat

To cause instability or turmoil in a situation.
We had everything organized until he came in and upset the boat with his demands.
Smith
Sep 27, 2023

Upset one's applecart

Same as "upset the apple cart"; to ruin a plan or process.
The power outage certainly upset our applecart for the day's schedule.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023

All worked up and upset

Being very emotional and agitated about something.
She got all worked up and upset over the negative comments.
Eleanor
Sep 27, 2023

An emotional upset

A state of emotional distress or disturbance.
The sudden departure of her friend caused her a great emotional upset.
Maverick
Sep 27, 2023

Upset the scales

To disrupt a delicate balance or equilibrium.
The additional workload really upset the scales and made it harder to manage time.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023

Turn the tables with an upset

To change the situation to one's advantage, especially unexpectedly.
Though trailing behind, the team managed to turn the tables with an upset in the last minute.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023

Don't upset the pot

Don't make a situation worse by unnecessary interference.
Things are sensitive right now; it's best not to upset the pot.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023

Upset Meaning in a Sentence

She was very upset when she lost her favorite necklace.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
Tom didn't mean to upset you with his comment.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
I don't want to upset the balance of power in our team.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
Seeing her friend in pain really upset Maria.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
His remark about her appearance upset her a lot.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
The cancellation of the event upset many fans.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
After the upsetting news, he needed time to be alone.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
We were quite upset to find out the store had closed early.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
He drank some coffee on an empty stomach and it upset his digestion.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
The incident upset the calm of the peaceful village.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
It would be upsetting to lose such an important game.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
The entire family was upset by the bad news.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
Please don't upset the apple cart by bringing up old disagreements.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
My parents were really upset with my grades this semester.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
The sudden noise upset the baby and she started crying.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Is upset an adjective?

"Upset" can be an adjective. It's used to describe a state of emotional disturbance or agitation.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023

Does upset mean sad?

"Upset" can mean "sad," but it typically implies a stronger emotional disturbance, possibly due to shock or disruption. It's broader than "sad" and could also encompass feelings of anxiety, anger, or confusion.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023

Is upset mad or sad?

"Upset" can refer to both "mad" and "sad," as it is a general term for a state of emotional disturbance or agitation. It depends on the context in which it is used.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023

What are the forms of upset?

"Upset" can be a noun, verb, or adjective. As a verb, the forms are "upset," "upsets," "upsetting," and "upset" (past tense). As a noun or adjective, "upset" does not change.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023

Is upset a synonym?

"Upset" can be a synonym for several words depending on the context. It can mean "disturbed", "troubled", "disordered", "unsettled", "worried", "distressed", or "disrupted", among others.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023

What is the past word for upset?

The past tense of "upset" as a verb is also "upset."
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023

What is the singular of upset?

"Upset" is both singular and plural, as it is an uncountable noun and adjective. As a verb, the singular form is "upset."
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023

What is the plural of upset?

As an uncountable noun and adjective, "upset" does not have a plural form. As a verb, the third-person singular form is "upsets."
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023

Is unhappy and upset the same?

"Unhappy" and "upset" are similar but not exactly the same. "Unhappy" typically refers to a general state of unhappiness or dissatisfaction, while "upset" usually refers to a more temporary state of emotional disturbance or agitation.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023

What is another word for upset?

Some synonyms for "upset" include "disturbed," "distressed," "agitated," "disconcerted," and "troubled."
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023

What is the opposite of upset?

The opposite of "upset" can be "calm," "settled," "composed," or "soothed," depending on the context.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023

Content Creators

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Muazma Batool
As a copywriter, Muazma weaves words into a tapestry of compelling stories that capture hearts and minds. With a keen eye for detail and a mastery of language, she crafts messages that move people to action and create lasting impact.
Co-written by
Muneeza Rehman
At Definitions Wiki, Muneeza's commitment to clarity and precision extends beyond the realm of definitions. She believes that a thorough understanding of words empowers individuals to communicate effectively and appreciate the beauty of language in all its forms.

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