Upset Meaning

UK /ʌpˈsɛt/
US /ʌpˈsɛt/
Word Definition
upset meaning

Upset Definition & Usage

adjective

Feeling emotionally disturbed or unhappy due to an unexpected event or situation.

Examples

  • "She was upset after hearing the bad news about her friend's illness."
  • "The child was upset because he couldn't find his favorite toy."
  • "He seemed upset when I asked him about the project deadline."
  • "I was upset when the concert tickets sold out so quickly."
  • "She was upset that her team lost the game by just one point."
verb

To cause someone to feel disturbed, angry, or unhappy.

Examples

  • "His rude comment upset her greatly."
  • "The news about the company's bankruptcy upset many employees."
  • "The constant noise outside upset my concentration."
  • "It upsets me when people are inconsiderate in public spaces."
  • "The criticism from his boss upset his mood for the entire day."
verb

To cause something to turn upside down or overturn the normal course of events, often resulting in a surprising or unexpected outcome.

Examples

  • "The underdog team upset the defending champions in the final match."
  • "The judge's ruling upset the previous verdict, causing a media frenzy."
  • "His innovative idea upset the established norms of the industry."
  • "A sudden change in weather upset our travel plans."
  • "The surprise announcement upset the political landscape."

Cultural Context

The word 'upset' has evolved from its original sense of 'to turn over' (related to physical overturning of objects) to its modern emotional connotation, which captures feelings of emotional disturbance. It can also refer to surprising outcomes, such as in sports where an unexpected victory is often referred to as an 'upset'.

The Unlikely Upset

Story

The Unlikely Upset

It was the final game of the season, and all the fans had gathered in the stadium, eagerly awaiting the anticipated victory of the reigning champions. The atmosphere was thick with excitement. The home team, known for their consistency and skill, had been leading the entire game. But, in the last few seconds, the unexpected happened. The underdog team, who had been trailing behind, scored a miraculous goal that sent the entire crowd into shock. As the referee blew the whistle, marking the end of the match, the champions' fans were left stunned. They had been upset — not just in terms of emotions, but in the sense that the game had turned upside down. Their team, which was expected to win, had lost. In the locker room, the captain of the winning team was equally astonished. 'We just upset the best team in the league,' he said, his voice filled with disbelief. They knew their victory was a huge surprise, one that would be remembered for years. Back at home, many of the fans who had been hopeful for a different outcome were visibly upset. They had been so sure of their team's success, but the twist of fate had caused their emotions to spiral. While some were angry, others simply sat in silence, reflecting on how quickly things had turned. Meanwhile, the underdog team celebrated their unexpected triumph. The match had upset everyone's expectations, proving once again that anything can happen in sports.

The Unlikely Upset