Dictionary

1upset

verb up·set \(ˌ)əp-ˈset\

: to make (someone) unhappy, worried, etc.

: to cause an unpleasant feeling in (your stomach)

: to cause (something) to be unable to continue in the expected way

up·setup·set·ting

Full Definition of UPSET

transitive verb
1
:  to thicken and shorten (as a heated bar of iron) by hammering on the end :  swage
2
:  to force out of the usual upright, level, or proper position :  overturn
3
a :  to trouble mentally or emotionally :  disturb the poise of <the news upset me>
b :  to throw into disorder
c :  invalidate
d :  to defeat unexpectedly <was upset in the primary>
4
:  to cause a physical disorder in; specifically :  to make somewhat ill <spicy food upsets my stomach>
intransitive verb
:  to become overturned
up·set·ter noun
upset the apple cart
:  to disturb or overturn a natural or stable order
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First Known Use of UPSET

1677

Synonym Discussion of UPSET

discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, agitate, upset, fluster mean to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action. discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress <discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife>. disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind <the disquieting news of factories closing>. disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption <the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me>. perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions <perturbed by her husband's strange behavior>. agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement <in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work>. upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief <the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child>. fluster suggests bewildered agitation <his declaration of love completely flustered her>.

2upset

noun up·set \ˈəp-ˌset\

: an occurrence in which a game, contest, etc., is won by a person or team that was expected to lose

: an unpleasant feeling of illness in your stomach

: a period of worry and unhappiness caused by something that has happened

Full Definition of UPSET

1
:  an act of overturning :  overturn
2
a (1) :  an act of throwing into disorder :  derangement (2) :  a state of disorder :  confusion
b :  an unexpected defeat
3
a :  a minor physical disorder <a stomach upset>
b :  an emotional disturbance <went through a big upset after his father's death>
4
a :  a part of a rod (as the head on a bolt) that is upset
b :  the expansion of a bullet on striking

First Known Use of UPSET

1804

3upset

adjective up·set \(ˌ)əp-ˈset\

: angry or unhappy

UPSETTING Defined for Kids

1upset

verb up·set \ˌəp-ˈset\
up·setup·set·ting

Definition of UPSET for Kids

1
:  to worry or make unhappy <The bad news upset us all.>
2
:  to make somewhat ill <Pizza upsets my stomach.>
3
:  to force or be forced out of the usual position :  overturn <Sit down before you upset the canoe.>
4
:  to cause confusion in <Rain upset our plans.>
5
:  to defeat unexpectedly

2upset

noun up·set \ˈəp-ˌset\

Definition of UPSET for Kids

1
:  an unexpected defeat
2
:  a feeling of illness in the stomach
3
:  a period of worry or unhappiness <an emotional upset>

3upset

adjective up·set \ˌəp-ˈset\

Definition of UPSET for Kids

:  emotionally disturbed or unhappy

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