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

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

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

Example 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

There was palpable excitement, especially after Barringer noted that national Democrats had put the seat on a list of ones to watch for a possible upset. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 There was upset after upset, and a few teams were on the verge of stumbling as well. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Verb

Fans were upset by the seemingly violent threat Chmerkovskiy made to Inaba, even if it was intended as a joke. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026 Before upsetting Montana State Idaho lost three FCS nonconference games by a total of 12 points. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Noun

Disrupting the rhythm between those two will be essential for TCU to pull off the upset. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026 If one or both don’t play, the Dolphins could pull off the upset, considering the Bengals ranks 31st in the league in rushing. — Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upset

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset

Adjective

Many were worried that this would lead to productivity losses.

— Volen Vulkov, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
On Monday morning, a relative of Cantrell who was worried that the baby might be Cantrell’s called police.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of worried

Verb

Yet those strengths may not be enough to overturn the structural advantages enjoyed by Moscow and Beijing, said experts.

— Lee Ying Shan,Matthew Tan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Bolsonaro also called for amnesty for his father, Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence under house arrest after being found guilty of plotting a coup to overturn his defeat in the 2022 election.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of overturn

Verb

Sectarian tensions and the disrupting force of the Cold War plunged the Middle Eastern nation into decades of armed conflict, with a chilling effect on daily life.

— Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
The team radio can disrupt Antonelli’s concentration, so Wolff told me that the engineers have learned how to use it less often, or with fewer words.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of disrupt

Noun

But then shipping disruptions, rising fuel costs, and steep international tariffs made exporting increasingly difficult, prompting Yu to turn her attention to building a domestic market.

— Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Ukraine experienced several disruptions with its Starshield satellite network in recent history.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of disruption

Adjective

Since the incident, the flamingo has been doing all right physically but is more anxious and nervous when being evaluated, said Peachy’s veterinarian, Tiffany Moore, medical director of Lone Mountain Animal Hospital.

— Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
As the military-style helicopter hovered above them, attendees from the rural, predominantly Latino community, began to get nervous.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of nervous

Verb

An officer responded to PSA, and police said about two pallets of cards were stolen from the truck and a third was disturbed.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
On vehicles with a dedicated secondary passenger display, front passengers can browse, view lyrics, and watch video content without disturbing the driver.

— Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

The agency is warning that rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea, while waves can wash people off beaches and rocks and capsize small boats near shore.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
In late September, a similar vessel that was also overloaded capsized in the Mona Passage, killing three people.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of capsize

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upsets

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Style

“Upset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upset. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of upset

adjective

verb

noun

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Synonyms of upset

adjective

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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