upset
/ʌpˈsɛt/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Feeling unhappy, worried, or angry because something bad or disappointing happened.
- She felt upset after the meeting.
- Don't be upset about the result.
- His words made me upset.
verb
To make someone unhappy, worried, or angry. It can also mean to change something in a surprising way, especially in sports.
- The news upset her.
- Losing the game upset the team.
- They upset the usual order.
noun
A surprising defeat or change, especially when a weaker side wins.
- It was a big upset.
- The final was an upset.
- The upset shocked the fans.
Adinary Nuance
Upset is broader and more everyday than distressed or disturbed. It can describe mild sadness, anger, or surprise, so it fits many spoken situations. Use distressed for stronger emotional pain, and annoyed when the feeling is mainly irritation.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- buồn bực
- Spanish
- molesto
- Chinese
- 心烦
- Japanese
- 動揺した
- Korean
- 속상한
Etymology
Up-set began as a verb in Middle English, from up + set. The idea was originally “set up” or “turn over,” and later it came to mean emotional disturbance and surprise defeat.
Common phrases
upset aboutupset withupset stomachan upset win
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is upset formal or informal?
- It is common in both speech and writing. It is less formal than distressed.
- What is the difference between upset and angry?
- Upset is broader. It can include sadness, worry, or anger, while angry is mainly about anger.
- Can I say 'I am upset with you'?
- Yes. It means someone has made you unhappy or angry.
- What does upset mean in sports?
- An upset is a surprising win by the weaker team or player.