Standard Lemma guide

upsetting

adj · noun · verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • rhymes with -ɛtɪŋ
  • CMU ARPABET: AH0 P S EH1 T IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Causing upset; distressing, unsettling, hurtful.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He found taking his cat to the vet to be put down very upsetting.
  • The bodies lying at the scene of the crash were an upsetting sight.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: deplorable, saddening, atrabiliary, atrabilious, depressing, distressing, grievous, heartbreaking, heartrending, miserable, lamentable, lachrymable, mournful, regrettable, rueful, sad, sorrowful, tragic, unhappy, upsetting, woebegone, woeful

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Conceited; presumptuous.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Scotland

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

An overturning or disarrangement.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • the upsettings of all their careful plans

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

present participle and gerund of upset

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

adjective satellite

Meaning 5

causing an emotional disturbance- Herb Caen

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • his disconcerting habit of greeting friends ferociously and strangers charmingly
  • an upsetting experience

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: disconcerting

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Albanian: shqetësues — upsetting
  • Ancient Greek: ταρακτικός (taraktikós) — upsetting
  • Russian: расстраивающий (rasstraivajuščij) — upsetting
  • Russian: тревожащий (trevožaščij) — upsetting
  • Spanish: perturbante — upsetting
  • Spanish: molestoso — upsetting
  • Spanish: trastornoso — upsetting
  • Spanish: alertante — upsetting