Upset: meaning, definitions and examples

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upset

[ʌpˈsɛt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

Feeling unhappy or disappointed because something unpleasant has happened.

Synonyms

disappointed, disheartened, distressed, saddened.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
upset	This can be used in a variety of situations where someone is generally troubled or disturbed, often by something unexpected. She was upset when she found out she didn't get the job. The bad news about the project made him upset.
distressed	This is used for situations where someone is experiencing severe anxiety, worry, or pain. He was distressed by the news of the accident. The child's crying made her mother feel distressed.
saddened	This is fitting when expressing mild to moderate sorrow or grief over something unfortunate. We were saddened to hear about her passing. The poor living conditions in the city saddened him.
disheartened	Use this when describing someone who has lost hope or enthusiasm due to difficulties or setbacks. The team was disheartened after consecutive losses. She felt disheartened by the lack of progress in her work.
disappointed	This is appropriate when someone feels let down because their expectations were not met. I was disappointed with my test results. He was disappointed when the event was cancelled.

Examples of usage

She was upset by the news of his death.
He was upset that he didn't get the job.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

emotion

Emotionally disturbed or agitated; distraught.

Synonyms

agitated, distraught, perturbed, troubled.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
upset	Commonly used to describe someone who is unhappy or disappointed, often because of a specific event or situation. She was upset after hearing the bad news. I'm really upset about the argument we had.
distraught	Strong emotional discomfort, usually implying that the person is deeply troubled or distressed, often to the point of being unable to think or act properly. She was distraught after the sudden loss of her friend. He was too distraught to speak.
agitated	More intense than 'upset', often indicating a state of nervousness or anxiety, typically due to external pressure or internal stress. He was clearly agitated during the meeting. The dog became agitated when it heard the thunder.
troubled	Typically used to describe someone who is experiencing emotional or mental difficulties, often over a prolonged period. He had a troubled childhood. The community is troubled by increasing crime rates.
perturbed	Describes a state of being slightly disturbed or worried, often in a more formal or intellectual context. She was perturbed by the strange noises at night. The professor seemed perturbed by the student's question.

Examples of usage

She was upset after the argument.
He was upset by the breakup.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

action

To disturb the normal state of; to make someone feel unhappy or worried.

Synonyms

agitate, disrupt, disturb, unsettle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
upset	When someone feels sad, disappointed, or troubled due to an unexpected or unpleasant event. She was upset after hearing the bad news. The argument with her friend really upset her.
disturb	When someone or something is interrupted or caused minor anxiety. Can also refer to physical or mental peace being broken. Please do not disturb the baby while she is sleeping. The unexpected noise disturbed my concentration.
unsettle	When someone feels uneasy or uncertain, often due to a change or something unpredictable. The sudden change in plans unsettled her. The creepy movie scene unsettled the audience.
disrupt	When something is broken, interrupted, or thrown into disorder, often referring to systems, activities, or events. The train service was disrupted by the snowstorm. The phone call disrupted the important meeting.
agitate	When someone is made anxious, nervous, or stirred up emotionally. Often implies a stronger emotional reaction. Seeing the news about the disaster agitated him. The loud noises from the construction site agitated the residents.

Examples of usage

The news upset her greatly.
The sudden change in plans upset him.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'upsettan,' meaning to overthrow or turn over.
Originally used to describe physical actions, such as knocking something over, it later expanded to emotional states.
Its usage in emotional contexts began to appear in literature around the 18th century.

Psychology

Feeling upset can be a response to loss, disappointment, or conflict, triggering a need for coping strategies.
It can lead to physiological changes, such as increased heart rate and release of stress hormones.
Understanding and expressing what causes upset can aid in emotional regulation and healing.

Cultural References

In literature, characters often experience being upset as a central plot point, reflecting human vulnerability.
Films often portray characters overcoming being upset, showing resilience as a source of strength.
In music, being upset is a common theme, often expressed through lyrics that resonate with personal experiences.

Education

Teaching emotional awareness can help children identify when they feel upset and learn how to express their feelings.
Role-playing is an effective method in classrooms to help students navigate situations that make them upset.
Educational programs now include 'social-emotional learning' to teach coping strategies for feelings like upset.

Health

Long-term feelings of being upset can affect physical health, leading to issues like fatigue or headaches.
Practices like mindfulness and deep breathing can help alleviate feelings of upset.
Therapeutic approaches often focus on processing events that lead to feeling upset to foster emotional resilience.

Translations

Translations of the word "upset" in other languages:

🇵🇹 chateado

aborrecido
perturbado

🇮🇳 उदास

परेशान
दुखी

🇩🇪 verärgert

aufgebracht
traurig

🇮🇩 kesal

sedih
terganggu

🇺🇦 засмучений

роздратований
розстроєний

🇵🇱 zdenerwowany

smutny
zaniepokojony

🇯🇵 動揺した (dōyō shita)

悲しい (kanashii)
怒っている (okotte iru)

🇫🇷 contrarié

bouleversé
triste

🇪🇸 molesto

triste
perturbado

🇹🇷 üzgün

sinirli
rahatsız

🇰🇷 화난 (hwanan)

슬픈 (seulpeun)
당황한 (danghwanghan)

🇸🇦 منزعج

حزين
مضطرب

🇨🇿 rozčilený

smutný
rozrušený

🇸🇰 rozčúlený

smutný
rozrušený

🇨🇳 心烦 (xīnfán)

难过 (nánguò)
不安 (bù'ān)

🇸🇮 razburjen

žalosten
vznemirjen

🇮🇸 leiður

pirraður
óánægður

🇰🇿 ренжіген

күйзелген
ашуланған

🇬🇪 გაბრაზებული

ნაღვლიანი
შეშფოთებული

🇦🇿 kədərlənmiş

əsəbi
narahat

🇲🇽 molesto

triste
perturbado

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,441 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
5438 virtual
5439 dissolution
5440 carbonate
5441 upset
5442 nuclei
5443 broadly
5444 disclosed
...