upset

Feeling sad, worried, or angry about something.

• She looks upset.
• I was upset about losing my phone.
• Why are you so upset with him?

How to use it: upset about something (He was upset about the cancellation.); upset with someone (Are you upset with me?); upset that… (She was upset that nobody had called.)

Similar words: distressed, unhappy

Opposites: happy

Common phrases: feel upset, upset about something, upset with someone

Feeling sick in your stomach, as if you might bring up food.

• I have an upset stomach.
• Her stomach felt upset after the meal.
• Can this medicine cause an upset tummy?

Similar words: queasy, nauseous

Common phrases: upset stomach, upset tummy, stomach feels upset

Turned over or knocked onto its side.

• The cart lay upset in the road.
• Milk ran from the upset cup.
• They found an upset carriage beside the bridge.

Similar words: overturned

Opposites: upright

Common phrases: upset carriage, upset cart

Trouble or worry caused by an event that interrupts normal life.

• The delay caused some upset.
• Moving house brought considerable upset to the family.
• She recovered quickly from the emotional upset.

Similar words: disturbance, distress, disruption

Common phrases: cause upset, emotional upset, considerable upset

A win by someone who was expected to lose.

• The match ended in an upset.
• The youngest player caused a major upset.
• Nobody expected such an upset in the election.

Similar words: surprise victory

Common phrases: major upset, stunning upset, cause an upset

An accident in which a vehicle or boat turns over.

• The policy covers collision and upset.
• A vehicle upset blocked the road.
• The boat suffered damage in the upset.

Similar words: overturn, rollover

Common phrases: collision and upset, vehicle upset

To make someone feel sad, worried, or angry.

• Please do not upset your sister.
• The news upset everyone in the family.
• Does it upset you when people laugh?

Similar words: distress, trouble, sadden

Opposites: comfort

Common phrases: upset someone, upset someone deeply

To change something in a way that causes problems or stops it working well.

• The storm upset our plans.
• Too much rain can upset the natural balance.
• Changing shifts has upset her daily routine.

Similar words: disrupt, disturb

Common phrases: upset the balance, upset someone’s plans, upset the routine