What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
agitated
Example
The dog became agitated when he heard the thunder. [agitated: adjective]
Example
She was too agitated to sit still during the meeting. [agitated: adjective]
upset
Example
I was upset when I found out I didn't get the job. [upset: adjective]
Example
She was upset with her friend for canceling their plans. [upset: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Upset is more commonly used than agitated in everyday language. Upset is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while agitated is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between agitated and upset?
Both agitated and upset can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but agitated may be perceived as more formal due to its less frequent usage in everyday language.
