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upset definition

up·set (up set′; for n. always, and for adj. also, up′set′)

transitive verb upset -·set′, upsetting -·set′·ting

  1. Obsolete to set up; erect
    1. to tip over; overturn to upset a vase
    2. to overthrow or defeat unexpectedly
    1. to disturb the functioning, fulfillment, or completion of to upset a busy schedule
    2. to disturb mentally or emotionally upset by bad news
    3. to disturb physically; make sick to upset the stomach
  4. Mech.
    1. to shorten and thicken (a red-hot iron) by beating on the end
    2. to shorten (a metal tire) in the process of resetting it

Etymology: ME upsetten: see up & set

intransitive verb

to become overturned or upset

noun

  1. an upsetting or being upset; specif.,
    1. a tipping over, knocking over, etc.
    2. an unexpected victory or defeat
    3. a disturbance or disorder, specif. of an emotional or physical nature
  2. Mech.
    1. a swage used for upsetting
    2. an upset piece or part

adjective

  1. Rare set up; erected
    1. tipped over; overturned
    2. disturbed or disordered

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

upset Synonyms

upset

modif.

disconcerted, amazed, shocked; see confused 2, unsettled.


upset

n.

overthrow, destruction, reversion; see defeat 2, subversion.


upset

v.

  1. To turn over

    overturn, upturn, subvert, turn bottom-side up, turn inside out, upend, reverse, keel over, overset, topple, tip over, turn topsy-turvy, overbalance, invert, capsize, tilt, pitch over, overthrow.

    Antonyms stand*, erect*, elevate. *

  2. To disturb

    agitate, fluster, perturb; see bother 2.

  3. To beat

    conquer, outplay, overpower; see defeat 1, 2, 3.

upset is the ordinary word implying a toppling, disorganization, etc. as a result of a loss of balance or stability to upset a glass, one's plans, etc.; emotionally upset; overturn implies a turning of a thing upside down or flat on its side and, in extended use, connotes the destruction of something established to overturn a chair, a government, etc.; capsize specifically implies the overturning or upsetting of a boat


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

upset Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • stomach: Government advice is to peel apples for small children as residues can lead to stomach upsets.

Adjective modifier

  • gastrointestinal: Melt water on glaciers may contain mineral silt, which can cause gastrointestinal upsets.

Noun used with modifier

  • tummy: My auntie Irene gets tummy upsets very easily, you know.

Used with adjective complement

  • get: Never getting upset with us, never getting cross.

Noun used with modifier

  • stomach: Physical or mental symptoms may respond to simple remedies: stomach upset or constipation.

Used with why or when

  • when: You seemed so down and upset when I lived back home.
upset usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

upset quotes

'You're not upset, are you,Orr?' Brooke says, pouring wine into my glass. 'Merely sober. The symptoms are similar.'

-Banks, Iain Menzies

upset quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"upset." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/upset>

APA Style

upset. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/upset

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