as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
a political agitator who led an unsuccessful revolt against the government
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Recent Examples of agitator
Charlie Kirk, a far-right agitator and political activist, was shot and killed on Wednesday according to video of the incident and confirmation by Andrew Kolvet, Kirk’s spokesman.
—
Mikelle Street, Them., 10 Sep. 2025
That might be an agitator for some players.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025
The Sweet family defended themselves by firing shots and killing one of the agitators, which led to a murder trial.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Pastor John Hagee, the influential Founder and Chairman of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), said fringe online agitators and politicians are motivated by two distinct impulses in their attacks on Israel.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitator
Mikelle Street, Them., 10 Sep. 2025
That might be an agitator for some players.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025
The Sweet family defended themselves by firing shots and killing one of the agitators, which led to a murder trial.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Pastor John Hagee, the influential Founder and Chairman of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), said fringe online agitators and politicians are motivated by two distinct impulses in their attacks on Israel.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitator
Noun
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But in a region being fought over by a patchwork of anti-junta rebel groups, the military and pro-military militia – and given the widespread distrust of the Rohingya – information on where exactly his family are, or what will become of them, has not been forthcoming.—
Esha Mitra,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
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By the finale, the galactic chessboard is crowded with players—emperors, rebels, prophets, impostors—but as Hari Seldon (Jared Harris) warned in the very first episode, the center cannot hold.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Participants are currently gathering pledges from friends and supporters.—
Nate Heinold,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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Fields had plenty of supporters in the locker room and even on the staff.—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Our shrinking attention span has left us vulnerable to demagogues and misinformation from every direction.—
Doug McIntyre,
Oc Register,
31 Aug. 2025
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Because huge shocks to the system tend to empower either a) bold problem solvers or b) populist demagogues.—
Matt K. Lewis,
Twin Cities,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The young firebrand, 31, was a staunch political ally of Trump and helped fuel his political comeback and return to the White House in January.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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The Georgia firebrand, who has been insistent that the United States stay out of affairs abroad, has attempted similar amendments to both the NDAA and appropriations bills in past years and recently, with no success.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The British band’s inaugural stop in Latin America on their highly successful Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour — which launched in Cardiff, Wales, on July 4 — drew a crowd of 65,000 fans at Mexico City’s Estadio GNP Seguros, according to promoter OCESA.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
13 Sep. 2025
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But major contract hurdles including race dates with the potential promoter, along with other issues will prevent that from happening in 2026.—
Bruce Martin,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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By removing the quarterly standard in favor of a semiannual one, proponents believe investors will get a management team that is more long-term focused.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
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Even so, proponents of speed reading programs point to data showing that students’ reading speed improves while maintaining comprehension.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Kirk gained an online audience for his right-wing provocateur persona.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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Gibby was the absolute provocateur.—
Pat Blashill,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Although some analysts have suggested Starmer may quietly be pleased with the resignation of his main rival and potential successor, the toppling of Rayner caps off what has been a dreadful summer for Labour, in which the party has lost more ground in the polls to the insurgent Reform UK.—
Max Foster,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
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This might enable a mission which, for example, a Viper is located covertly next to a safe house known to be used by insurgents.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitator. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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