upsetting
adjective
up·set·ting
(ˌ)əp-ˈse-tiŋ 
: mentally or emotionally troubling or disturbing : causing feelings of worry or anxiety
heard some upsetting news
an upsetting experience
We're up to [a deficit of] $1.5 trillion a year …. These numbers are truly upsetting.—
Bill Gates
Bill GatesProfessors issue, or students demand, trigger warnings when presenting material that might be upsetting to some: depictions of rape, sexism, racism, suicide.—Yvonne Abraham
Yvonne Abraham
upsettingly
adverb
an upsettingly graphic depiction of violence
In comparison to male historical figures, the number of women that we learn about throughout school is upsettingly low.
—Alexis Gardner
Alexis Gardner
Examples of upsetting in a Sentence
the constant arguing is upsetting to a sensitive person like your grandmother
Recent Examples on the Web
My nose and mouth were full of blood, guts and a deep, upsetting warmth.
—Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025
Therefore, when something upsetting happens, the children’s schedule still stays intact.
—Jann Blackstone, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
Unable to face the horrors of his reality, Andrew creates an alter ego named Teddy to escape his upsetting memories.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Cora will have a tough decision to make and will have to weigh what gives the Red Sox the best chance of winning, while also listening to his players and not upsetting core members of a team that is set to have its best season in years.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
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Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025
Therefore, when something upsetting happens, the children’s schedule still stays intact.
—Jann Blackstone, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
Unable to face the horrors of his reality, Andrew creates an alter ego named Teddy to escape his upsetting memories.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Cora will have a tough decision to make and will have to weigh what gives the Red Sox the best chance of winning, while also listening to his players and not upsetting core members of a team that is set to have its best season in years.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upsetting
Cite this Entry
“Upsetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upsetting. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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