ENGLISH
REFERENCE

upsetting

adj. · n.
US //əpˈsɛtɪŋ// UK //ʌpsˈɛtɪŋ// up·set·ting
  1. 1 distressing (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    making you feel sad, worried, or angry.

    causing emotional distress, agitation, or unhappiness.

    Example

    It was very upsetting to see the damage the storm caused to the garden.

    Example

    The witness provided an upsetting account of the accident, detailing the events with a level of clarity that visibly moved the jury.
    Pitfall
    I am very upsetting about the news.
    The news is very upsetting.

    Use 'upsetting' to describe the thing that causes the feeling. Use 'upset' to describe how you feel.

  2. 2 a disturbance (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal

    the act of making something messy or out of order.

    the act of overturning, disarranging, or disturbing a settled state or physical position.

    Example

    The sudden upsetting of the old government led to months of confusion.

    Example

    The sudden upsetting of the ecological balance in the lake resulted in a rapid decline of native fish species over the following decade.

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