The 'upshot' is like the conclusion of a story, explaining the final situation after everything has happened. After weeks of negotiation, the upshot was that the workers received a pay raise.
Pro Tip 2/3
Not the Process
'Upshot' focuses on the ending, not the process or steps leading up to it. The experiments were complex, but the upshot is that the vaccine is effective.
Pro Tip 3/3
Neutral Tone
The word 'upshot' is neutral and can be used for positive, negative, or neutral results. The upshot of the study was inconclusive, requiring further research.