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

Francesca Hong’s upset loss in Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial primary marks the second straight week that a progressive Democrat’s double-digit polling lead evaporated on election night. — Scott Clement, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026 Crowley pulls it off Last night, David Crowley pulled off a victory in Wisconsin's Democratic primary for governor that was both a stunning upset and a rare comeback, as my USA TODAY Network colleagues reported this morning. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Verb

An overmatched offensive line cost this team last season, especially in its Week 3 upset loss to the Browns, so this is one to watch. — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026 In 2001, the Mavs upset the Utah Jazz in the first round of the NBA playoffs, the team’s first postseason series victory since 1988. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026

Noun

However, the night was a team effort for Dallas, as the crew worked to fend off the Amps’ hunt for the biggest upset of this season. — Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 Democrats see a fresh opportunity for an upset in an Ohio congressional seat. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upset

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset

Adjective

Truth is, Westside Cowboy — all of whom are in their early to mid-twenties — are just as worried about it all as anyone else.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2026
Buyers were interested but worried about the optics of a show revolving around two wealthy, gallivanting white guys.

— Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of worried

Verb

Rengifo came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the second inning after Tatis challenged a strike call that was overturned for a walk.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Ominously, the order pledges federal pressure, including from the Justice Department, to push states into overturning their own vaccine mandates.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of overturn

Verb

Farage did not give a victory speech after declining to attend the declaration, claiming police had warned of a campaign to disrupt it.

— Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Costs had been on the decline since March 2025, following a massive outbreak of bird flu that disrupted the egg supply and sent retail prices soaring.

— Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of disrupt

Noun

Agriculture and supply chains would also face major disruption.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Energy supply disruptions remain a key market concern, with tanker traffic through the strait still subdued, said Lloyd Chan, senior currency analyst at MUFG Bank in Singapore, noting that Brent prices remain way above above pre-conflict levels.

— Chloe Taylor,Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of disruption

Verb

Sulfur-rich gases reaching the upper atmosphere could reflect sunlight and temporarily cool the climate, disturbing rainfall and reducing harvests worldwide.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Some people think putting more and more effects is the best way to express ourselves for the audience, and some filmmakers just want to keep the balance without disturbing the original movie.

— Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

According to court documents, Manuel Hernandez, the tour boat captain, made a U-turn and a swell swamped the bow, capsizing the boat with 14 people on board.

— Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
The ferry capsized while carrying at least 114 adult passengers and five crew members, according to Zimbabwe’s disaster management agency.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of capsize

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Style

“Upset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upset. Accessed 18 Aug. 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

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on upset

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The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

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12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

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Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes