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upset Definition

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

transitive verb -·set′, -·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

upset Related Forms
up·set′·ter noun
upset Synonyms

upset

modif.

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

upset Synonyms

upset

n.

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

upset Synonyms

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

upset Usage Examples

Object

  • applecart: Sometimes if you bring five or six players in it can upset the applecart.
  • stomach: The ' Buddha ' died aged 80 of a stomach upset whilst reclining between two trees.
  • cart: But the man who could really upset the apple cart is Britain's Leon Haslam.
  • balance: In the last century we have upset the balance.
  • apple-cart: That is what upset the apple-cart more than anything else.
  • anybody: And not to upset anybody who has a shaykh as well.

Converse of object

  • stomach: Government advice is to peel apples for small children as residues can lead to stomach upsets.
  • cause: Melt water on glaciers may contain mineral silt, which can cause gastrointestinal upsets.

Adjective modifier

  • gastrointestinal: Melt water on glaciers may contain mineral silt, which can cause gastrointestinal upsets.
  • digestive: A cookie or tablet which is a nutritional supplement for dogs with digestive upsets.
  • gastric: Clinical trials have clearly demonstrated efficacy in reducing wind and smells and relieving indigestion and gastric upset in the dog.
  • gastro-intestinal: HAV infection may cause: nausea; loss of appetite; abdominal pain; and mild gastro-intestinal upset, followed by jaundice.
  • emotional: In some cases Eczema is related to an emotional upset.
  • mild: HAV infection may cause: nausea; loss of appetite; abdominal pain; and mild gastro-intestinal upset, followed by jaundice.

Modifies a noun

  • tummy: An upset tummy is probably the only health problem you're likely to encounter in Jordan.
  • stomach: Nor were the upset stomachs just a " bug " .

Used with adjective complement

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

Noun used with modifier

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

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

—Banks, Iain Menzies

Browse dictionary entries near upset

  1. ‹ upscale
  2. ‹ upsadaisy
  3. ‹ ups and downs
  4. ‹ UPS
  5. ‹ uprouse
  6. ‹ uproot
  7. ‹ uproarious
  8. ‹ uproar
  9. ‹ upriver
  10. ‹ uprising
  1. upset price ›
  2. upshift ›
  3. upshot ›
  4. upside ›
  5. upside down ›
  6. upside-down cake ›
  7. upsilon ›
  8. upspring ›
  9. upstage ›
  10. upstairs ›