upsetting

[uhp-set-ing] / ʌpˈsɛt ɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

disturbing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alarming annoying bothersome creepy depressing disconcerting discouraging disquieting disruptive distressing embarrassing frightening inconvenient irritating painful startling threatening tiresome troublesome troubling trying unpleasant vexing worrisome worrying

STRONG

aggravating agitating discommoding discomposing dismaying foreboding harassing impeding perplexing perturbing provoking unsettling

WEAK

burdensome consequential difficult disagreeable discomforting distressful gloomy hard intrusive irksome laborious ominous onerous pessimistic prophetic severe sinister toilsome troublous uncertain wearisome

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable calming comforting convenient delightful easy encouraging facile good happy helpful nice pleasant pleasing settling soothing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The quality of Shankland's finishes - neither of them all that straightforward - must now be upsetting the natural order in the head coach's head.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

“Our findings suggest that a huge storm after a long calm can be more upsetting to people who are not used to bad weather,” the two authors wrote.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

Yet he loved upsetting the cart and I think went out of his way to create friction musically, within the band, to keep things stirred up constantly and make every day an adventure.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

To gentle souls who shy away from upsetting books, he warns that the “genteel impulse” leads to the confusion between “civilization and bowdlerization.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

“I didn’t mean to bring you such upsetting news tonight. Your story ends happily, Håkon.”

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack

upsetting

Example Sentences

Related Words