upset

up·set / ˌəpˈset/ • v. (-set·ting; past and past part. -set) [tr.] 1. make (someone) unhappy, disappointed, or worried: the accusation upset her | [as adj.] (upsetting) a painful and upsetting divorce. 2. knock (something) over: he upset a tureen of soup. ∎  cause disorder in (something); disrupt: the dam will upset the ecological balance. ∎  disturb the digestion of (a person's stomach); cause (someone) to feel nauseous or unwell. 3. [often as n.] (upsetting) shorten and thicken the end or edge of (a metal bar, wheel rim, or other object), esp. by hammering or pressure when heated. • n. / ˈəpset/ 1. a state of being unhappy, disappointed, or worried: domestic upsets | a legal dispute will cause worry and upset. 2. an unexpected result or situation, esp. in a sports competition: they caused one of last season's league upsets by winning 27–15. 3. a disturbance of a person's digestive system: a stomach upset. • adj. / ˌəpˈset/ 1. unhappy, disappointed, or worried: she looked pale and upset. 2. (of a person's stomach) having disturbed digestion, esp. because of something eaten. DERIVATIVES: up·set·ter / ˌəpˈsetər/ n.up·set·ting·ly adv.