upsetting adjective 2noun 1forms 3 adjective2 •Causing upset; distressing, unsettling, hurtful.He found taking his cat to the vet to be put down very upsetting.The bodies lying at the scene of the crash were an upsetting sight. •(Scotland) Conceited; presumptuous. noun1 •An overturning or disarrangement.the upsettings of all their careful plans formsupsettings · more upsetting · most upsetting