Other forms: upsettingly
When something makes you feel worried or unhappy, it's upsetting. Learning some upsetting news right before bed can make it impossible to fall asleep.
It's upsetting to lose your big chess tournament or have your dog run away. In fact, anything that causes you to feel disappointed, unsettled, or distressed is upsetting. For some people, clowns are hilarious; for others, they're deeply upsetting. This adjective's meaning comes from the verb upset, "turn over or capsize." Upsetting things make you feel like your life has been turned upside down — or upset.