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Definition of upsetting - 5 dictionary results

up⋅set⋅ting

  [uhp-set-ing]
Use upsetting in a Sentence
–adjective
tending to disturb or upset: an upsetting experience.
Origin:
1870–75; upset + -ing 2

up⋅set

  [v., adj. uhp-set; n. uhp-set] verb, -set, -set⋅ting, noun, adjective
–verb (used with object)
1. to overturn: to upset a pitcher of milk.
2. to disturb mentally or emotionally; perturb: The incident upset her.
3. to disturb or derange completely; put out of order; throw into disorder: to upset a system; to upset a mechanism; to upset an apartment.
4. to disturb physically: It upset his stomach.
5. to defeat or overthrow an opponent that is considered more formidable, as in war, politics, or sports.
6. Metalworking. to thicken the end of (a piece of heated metal) by hammering on the end against the length of the piece.
–verb (used without object)
7. to become upset or overturned.
–noun
8. an upsetting or instance of being upset; overturn; overthrow.
9. the defeat of a person, team, etc., that is considered more formidable.
10. a nervous, irritable state of mind.
11. a disordered or confused arrangement.
12. Metalworking.
a. a tool used for upsetting.
b. something that is upset, as a bar end.
–adjective
13. overturned: an upset milk pail.
14. disordered; disorganized: The house is upset.
15. distressed; disturbed: She had an upset stomach. He is emotionally upset.
16. Archaic. raised up.
Origin:
1300–50; ME: raised up; see up-, set

Related forms:
up⋅set⋅ta⋅ble, adjective
up⋅set⋅ter, noun
up⋅set⋅ting⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. Upset, capsize, overturn imply a change from an upright or other stable position to a prostrate one. Upset is a familiar word, applied to simple, everyday actions: to upset a table, a glass of water. Capsize is applied especially to the upsetting of a boat or other vessel: to capsize a canoe. Overturn usually suggests violence in upsetting something supposedly stable: The earthquake overturned houses. All three are used figuratively, also: to upset the stock market; to capsize a plan; to overturn a government. 2. unnerve, disconcert, fluster. 5. depose, displace. 10. perturbation, disturbance. 11. mess. 15. disconcerted, agitated, perturbed, annoyed.

Antonyms:
2, 3. steady.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To upsetting
up·set   (ŭp-sět')   
v.   up·set, up·set·ting, up·sets

v.   tr.

  1. To cause to turn or tip over; capsize.

  2. To disturb the functioning, order, or course of: Protesters upset the meeting by chanting and shouting.

  3. To distress or perturb mentally or emotionally: The bad news upset me.

  4. To overthrow; overturn: upset a will. See Synonyms at overthrow.

  5. (ŭp'sět') To defeat unexpectedly (an opponent favored to win).

  6. To make (a heated metal bolt, for example) shorter and thicker by hammering on the end.

v.   intr.

  1. To become overturned; capsize.

  2. To become disturbed.

n.   (ŭp'sět')

  1. The act of upsetting or the condition of being upset.

  2. A disturbance, disorder, or state of agitation.

  3. A game or contest in which the favorite is defeated.

    1. A tool used for upsetting; a swage.

    2. An upset part or piece.

adj.  

  1. Having been overturned; capsized.

  2. Exhibiting signs and symptoms of indigestion: an upset stomach.

  3. In a state of emotional or mental distress; distraught: upset parents.


[Middle English upsetten, to set up : up-, up- + setten, to set; see set1.]
up·set'ter n., up·set'ting·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

upset  (v.)
c.1440, "to set up, fix," from up + set (v.). Cf. M.Du. opsetten, Ger. aufsetzen. Modern sense of "overturn, capsize" (1803) is that of obsolete overset. Meaning "to throw into mental discomposure" is from 1805. The noun sense of "overturning of a vehicle or boat" is recorded from 1804.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 3up·set
Pronunciation: (")&p-'set
Function: adjective
: emotionally disturbed or agitated upset tospeak>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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