“upset”

Feeling anxious, unsettled, or mentally disturbed by something troubling.

“She left the meeting perturbed by the director's offhand dismissal of her proposal.”

Best for: Works well in formal writing or when describing quiet, internal distress rather than outward anger.

Thrown into a state of nervous agitation or loss of composure.

“The unexpected question rattled him so badly he forgot everything he'd rehearsed.”

Best for: Great for punchy, conversational prose or dialogue where emotional vulnerability reads as human and immediate.

Made uneasy or anxious by something that disturbs one's inner peace.

“He was deeply disquieted by the silence that followed his confession.”

Best for: Ideal for literary or psychological fiction where a character's unease simmers beneath the surface.

Feeling irritated or annoyed, especially by something petty or recurring.

“She was thoroughly vexed by his habit of interrupting her mid-sentence.”

Best for: Slightly old-fashioned but never archaic; suits sharp, witty, or period-style writing beautifully.

Feeling resentment at having been treated unjustly or wronged.

“He wrote the letter with the wounded, aggrieved tone of someone who had never once been wrong.”

Best for: Best when the upset carries a sense of moral injury or perceived injustice rather than raw emotion.

Tearfully sorrowful or inclined to weep from emotional distress.

“The film left her lachrymose and staring at the ceiling long after the credits rolled.”

Best for: Rare and slightly clinical; use sparingly for deliberate stylistic effect or darkly ironic tone.