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

According to those around at the time, Saban was quite upset over those comments. — John Talty, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 2026 Winning twice as underdogs Newton and Greater Atlanta Christian are top-five teams that have boosted their credentials with upset victories over top-10 teams to open the season. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Verb

Trump impeachment crusader scores upset in Oklahoma Senate race. — FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Central Michigan recruit Charlie Palmer produces an interception and sets the tone defensively as the Griffins upset Brother Rice 22-21. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Noun

This week, the West African island nation of Cape Verde, making its World Cup debut, delivered one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far by holding tournament favorites Spain to a 0-0 draw. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Georgia high school football Upset Tracker Here are some of Friday night's top upsets from high school football games across Georgia. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upset

Recent Examples of Synonyms for upset

Adjective

When Republican lawmakers secured cuts to the United States' largest food assistance program last year, Paige Shoemaker DeMio wasn't worried about children going hungry just at home — but at school.

— Juliana Kim, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
Mattfeld is excellent in what could easily have been a thankless role, playing Ricky with the mien of someone who is always holding it together, years of disappointment and condescension and expectation keeping her eyes worried and jaw tight.

— Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of worried

Verb

The lack of federal guidance, conflicting messages and potential barriers to immunizations worry public health officials because vaccination rates are already falling, leading to resurgences of dangerous diseases like measles.

— Rob Stein, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
Their narrators worry about the corruption of their music scenes by news presenters, magazine writers, major-label scouts, and (for Goetz especially) academics.

— Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of worry

Verb

But if the stay is lifted or overturned, USPS would require states to submit lists of mail ballot recipients and get approval for envelope and ballot designs with individualized barcodes.

— Peter Weber, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
Bans can last five to 10 years, and some have been successfully overturned in court, lawyers say.

— Daniel Estrin, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of overturn

Verb

Rendering examines how artificial intelligence is disrupting the entertainment industry, taking you inside key battlegrounds and spotlighting change-makers wielding the technology for good and ill.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026
In the scenario, critical infrastructure in the central Finnish city of Kuopio, including power and water, has been disrupted by cyberattacks and there’s the threat of missile strikes from Finland’s neighbor, Russia.

— Emma Burrows, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of disrupt

Noun

Officials in Pattaya, where international tourist arrivals have dropped because of travel disruptions and soaring fuel prices stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, say the visit is expected to inject about $3 million into the local economy.

— Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
Citing data from consultancy Energy Aspects, Reuters notes that due to war damage or export disruptions, approximately one-fifth of Middle Eastern refining capacity is currently offline.

— , CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of disruption

Adjective

The letter writer is almost 40 and nervous about living with a romantic partner for the first time.

— Shane O’Neill, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
That energy spike is reinforcing inflation worries in a bond market already nervous about America’s $40 trillion mountain of debt.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of nervous

Verb

The orca in the photo eventually died, but also capsized the boat, leaving the fishers to be rescued by other boats.

— Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
The captain of a boat that capsized in New York Harbor earlier this month, killing a baby and her mother, has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, authorities said.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of capsize

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“Upset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upset. Accessed 4 Sep. 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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