upsetting

USAGE SUMMARY

"upsetting" is a correct word to use in written English.
It is an adjective meaning causing emotional distress or mental discomfort. Example: She felt very upset after she received the news that her grandmother had passed away.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a murky world, and something that photographers never really challenge – they are all worried about upsetting the apple cart".

The Guardian

"Sol, this is upsetting you, isn't it?" "Yes, because it's flawed in every capacity".

The Guardian - Sport

It's magical, somehow uplifting and upsetting at the same time, like the confused love affair – "Is this darkness or the dawn?" – the song goes on to investigate.

The Guardian - Music

It's tricky for any government to do it alone without upsetting its local bond market.

The Guardian - Business

A member of the government admitted that the possibility of upsetting media figures in the run-up to a referendum "had crossed my mind".

The Guardian

"I'm not frightened of upsetting the very politically correct class who are afraid to touch difficult issues.

The Guardian

According to Claudia Lagos Lira, author of "Abortion in Chile", even left-wing politicians avoid the issue of abortion, fearful of upsetting the Catholic Church.

The Guardian

Rowan agreed but, a few months in, tried to renegotiate this boundary, confusing and upsetting Kelly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Seeing as they are already out of the reckoning, the pressure is off as they head to Wembley and any team with the likes of Robert Lewandowski leading the charge is capable of upsetting applecarts.

The Guardian - Sport

Sacrificing the interests of the British miners was the price to be paid for not upsetting the so-called Iron Lady.

The Guardian

"This aggression from our neighbor Russia is upsetting.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upsetting", consider the degree of emotional impact you want to convey. "Distressing" may be more appropriate for severe emotional pain, while "irritating" is better for minor annoyances.

Common error

Avoid using "upsetting" when a situation is merely inconvenient or mildly annoying. Opt for words like "inconvenient" or "irritating" to more accurately reflect the situation's impact.

Linguistic Context

The term "upsetting" primarily functions as an adjective, describing something that causes emotional distress or disturbance. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing many real-world examples of its application in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upsetting" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that causes emotional distress or disturbance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "distressing" or "disturbing" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, "upsetting" remains a common and widely understood choice. Be mindful of overusing it for minor annoyances to maintain precision in your writing. Overall, this word is a valuable part of the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distressing

Focuses more on the emotional pain caused.

unsettling

Emphasizes the lack of peace of mind caused.

disturbing

Emphasizes the disruption and unsettling nature.

troubling

Highlights the worry and concern associated.

worrying

Stresses the anxiety and unease produced.

disheartening

Highlights the loss of hope or enthusiasm.

disconcerting

Points to a loss of composure and confusion.

vexing

Implies irritation and frustration.

aggravating

Emphasizes the annoyance and exacerbation of a situation.

irritating

Focuses on the mild annoyance caused.

FAQs

How to use "upsetting" in a sentence?

You can use "upsetting" to describe something that causes emotional distress, for example: "The news was deeply "upsetting"". It can also describe something that disrupts or disturbs: "The constant noise was "upsetting" the balance of things".

What can I say instead of "upsetting"?

You can use alternatives like "distressing", "disturbing", or "troubling" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "upsetting" or "upset"?

"Upsetting" is the present participle and adjective form, used to describe something that causes upset. "Upset" is the past participle or a feeling of distress. For example, "The news was upsetting" versus "She was upset by the news".

What's the difference between "upsetting" and "frustrating"?

"Upsetting" generally implies a stronger emotional response of sadness, anxiety, or distress. "Frustrating" refers to a feeling of being blocked or hindered in achieving a goal. You might find a difficult puzzle "frustrating", but news of a loss "upsetting".