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Book Glossary

upset

Dictionary definition · upset

noun

  1. an unhappy and worried mental state"there was too much anger and disturbance"
  2. the act of disturbing the mind or body"his carelessness could have caused an ecological upset"
  3. a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning"the doctor prescribed some medicine for the disorder"
  4. a tool used to thicken or spread metal (the end of a bar or a rivet etc.) by forging or hammering or swaging

verb

  1. disturb the balance or stability of"The hostile talks upset the peaceful relations between the two countries"
  2. cause to lose one's composure
  3. move deeply"This book upset me"
  4. cause to overturn from an upright or normal position"The cat knocked over the flower vase"

adjective

  1. afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief"too upset to say anything"
  2. thrown into a state of disarray or confusion"troops fleeing in broken ranks"
  3. used of an unexpected defeat of a team favored to win"the Bills' upset victory over the Houston Oilers"
  4. mildly physically distressed"an upset stomach"

Similar words

disquieteddistresseddisturbedworrieddisturbanceperturbationbrokenconfuseddisorderedderangement

Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).