How to Pronounce Upset

To pronounce "upset", say UPS-et — 2 syllables. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

upset

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying upset, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

2

Syllables

5

Letters

UPS-et

Say it like

💡 Tip for remembering “upset”

"upset" has 2 syllables: ups-et. It rhymes with epithet and set, if that helps it stick.

What does upset mean?

noun

  1. Disturbance or disruption.

    “My late arrival caused the professor considerable upset.”

  2. An unexpected victory of a competitor or candidate that was not favored to win.

verb

  1. To make (a person) angry, distressed, or unhappy.

    “I’m sure the bad news will upset him, but he needs to know.”

  2. To disturb, disrupt or adversely alter (something).

    “Introducing a foreign species can upset the ecological balance.”

adjective

  1. (of a person) Angry, distressed or unhappy.

    “He was upset when she refused his friendship.”

  2. (of a stomach or gastrointestinal tract, referred to as stomach) Feeling unwell, nauseated, or ready to vomit.

    “His stomach was upset, so he didn't want to move.”

Synonyms

disruptiondisturbancedisruptdisturbforsetturn upside downinvertoverturntipangry

Words that rhyme with upset

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

epithetsetsobriquetoffsetfretwetyetabetparapetvignetteonsetbeset

Related words

troubleddistressedworriedperturbationdisturbtroubledisturbancedisconcert

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "upset"?▾

"Upset" has 2 syllables: ups · et.

What does "upset" mean?▾

Upset: Disturbance or disruption.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “upset” in the full dictionary →