What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overturn
Example
He accidentally overturned the vase while trying to dust it. [overturned: past tense]
Example
The court decided to overturn the previous ruling. [overturn: verb]
Example
The boat overturned in the storm, and they had to swim to shore. [overturned: past participle]
upset
Example
She was upset when she found out she didn't get the job. [upset: adjective]
Example
The team's loss upset their chances of making it to the playoffs. [upset: verb]
Example
The cat upset the vase by jumping on the table. [upset: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Upset is more commonly used than overturn in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and can be used to describe a variety of emotional and physical disturbances. Overturn is less common and is typically used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between overturn and upset?
Both overturn and upset can be used in formal and informal contexts, but overturn is more commonly used in legal or technical settings, while upset is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
