adjective / verb

upset

Distressed or disturbed, or to cause distress or disturbance.

She feels upset when her friends leave her out.

Etymology

The overturning sense became a metaphor for disturbed emotional balance. Upset people have had their ordinary calm disrupted.

More examples

  • The harsh criticism upsets him more than he admits.
  • Spicy food can upset my stomach.
  • The last-minute change upset our plans.

Forms

upset · upsets · upsetting

Similar words

distress
Emphasizes causing emotional pain or worry rather than general disturbance.
disturb
Emphasizes interrupting someone's peace or disrupting a settled condition.
bother
Usually suggests milder annoyance or worry rather than deep distress.