Dictionary
1upset
verb up·set \(ˌ)əp-ˈset\
: to make (someone) unhappy, worried, etc.
: to cause an unpleasant feeling in (your stomach)
: to cause (something) to be unable to continue in the expected way
up·setup·set·ting
Full Definition of UPSET
transitive verb
1
: to thicken and shorten (as a heated bar of iron) by hammering on the end : swage
2
: to force out of the usual upright, level, or proper position : overturn
3
a : to trouble mentally or emotionally : disturb the poise of <the news upset me> b : to throw into disorder c : invalidate d : to defeat unexpectedly <was upset in the primary>
4
: to cause a physical disorder in; specifically : to make somewhat ill <spicy food upsets my stomach>
intransitive verb
: to become overturned
— up·set·ter noun
— upset the apple cart
: to disturb or overturn a natural or stable order
See upset defined for English-language learners
See upset defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of UPSET
1677
Related to UPSET
- Synonyms
- agitate, ail, alarm (also alarum), bother, concern, derail, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distemper, distract, distress, exercise, flurry, frazzle, freak (out), fuss, hagride, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, disturb, weird out, worry
- Antonyms
- calm, compose, quiet, settle, soothe, tranquilize (also tranquillize)
Synonym Discussion of UPSET
discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, agitate, upset, fluster mean to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action. discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress <discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife>. disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind <the disquieting news of factories closing>. disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption <the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me>. perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions <perturbed by her husband's strange behavior>. agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement <in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work>. upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief <the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child>. fluster suggests bewildered agitation <his declaration of love completely flustered her>.
Rhymes with UPSET
abet, aigrette, all wet, backset, baguette, banquette, barbette, barquette, barrette, beget, beset, blanquette, boneset, brevet, briquette, brochette, brunet, burette, burnet, cadet, cassette, cermet, Colette, coquet, coquette, cornet, corselet, corvette, coset, courgette, croquette, curette, curvet, cuvette, dinette, dip net, diskette, dragnet, duet, egret, fan-jet, fishnet, fly net, forget, gazette, georgette, Gillette, gillnet, gill net, godet, grisette, handset, hard-set, headset, ink-jet, inlet, inset, jet set, Juliet, kismet, layette, life net, lorgnette, lunette, maquette, Marquette, mind-set, mist net, moonset, moquette, motet, musette, nerve net, noisette, nonet, nymphet, octet, offset, onset, outlet, outset, paillette, pallette, palmette, pipette, piquet, planchette, pound net, poussette, preset, quartet, quickset, quintet, raclette, ramet, ramjet, regret, reset, revet, rocket, roomette, rosette, roulette, saw set, septet, sestet, sextet, sharp-set, soubrette, spinet, stage set, stylet, sublet, subset, sunset, syrette, tea set, thickset, Tibet, toilette, tonette, trijet, twinset, typeset, Undset, unset, vedette, vignette, well-set
2upset
noun up·set \ˈəp-ˌset\
: an occurrence in which a game, contest, etc., is won by a person or team that was expected to lose
: an unpleasant feeling of illness in your stomach
: a period of worry and unhappiness caused by something that has happened
Full Definition of UPSET
1
: an act of overturning : overturn
2
a (1) : an act of throwing into disorder : derangement (2) : a state of disorder : confusion b : an unexpected defeat
3
a : a minor physical disorder <a stomach upset> b : an emotional disturbance <went through a big upset after his father's death>
4
a : a part of a rod (as the head on a bolt) that is upset b : the expansion of a bullet on striking
See upset defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of UPSET
1804
Related to UPSET
- Synonyms
- derangement, dislocation, disruption, disturbance
3upset
adjective up·set \(ˌ)əp-ˈset\
: angry or unhappy
Full Definition of UPSET
: emotionally disturbed or agitated <was too upset to speak to him>
See upset defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of UPSET
1805
UPSET Defined for Kids
1upset
verb up·set \ˌəp-ˈset\
up·setup·set·ting
Definition of UPSET for Kids
1
: to worry or make unhappy <The bad news upset us all.>
2
: to make somewhat ill <Pizza upsets my stomach.>
3
: to force or be forced out of the usual position : overturn <Sit down before you upset the canoe.>
4
: to cause confusion in <Rain upset our plans.>
5
: to defeat unexpectedly
2upset
noun up·set \ˈəp-ˌset\
Definition of UPSET for Kids
1
: an unexpected defeat
2
: a feeling of illness in the stomach
3
: a period of worry or unhappiness <an emotional upset>
3upset
adjective up·set \ˌəp-ˈset\
Definition of UPSET for Kids
: emotionally disturbed or unhappy
Learn More About UPSET
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: upset butt weldingPrevious Word in the Dictionary: upsendAll Words Near: upset
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up upset? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).