AGITATOR Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

agitator

noun

ˈa-jə-ˌtā-tər

Definition of agitator

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of agitator The ranks of the protesters have also swelled to include some more opportunistic looters and agitators. — Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 19 Oct. 2026 If your machine is top loading, look inside the agitator or along the rim of the drum for a lint trap or screen, sometimes hidden behind a cover. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2026 Advertisement As protests intensified, state media unleashed a frenzied smear campaign, casting Egyptian protesters as foreign agents and outside agitators. — Abdelrahman Elgendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026 The incident came as agitators against immigration adopt a confrontational new tactic of trying to stop the boats landing on England’s shores, clashing with police and rescue workers in the process. — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for agitator

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitator

Noun

Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry rejected similar Sudanese accusations in a May 5 statement, calling them baseless, and accused Sudan of supporting rebels in its northern Tigray region.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
In Colombia’s rural Guaviare region, poor ranchers eke out a living in obscurity, surrounded by armed rebels who traffic cocaine.

— New York Times, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebel

Noun

As visible support for the movement grows, so does the likelihood that members of government, as well as high-profile supporters outside the administration, will decide to not oppose the movement—or even decide to actively support it.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026
Scores were detained and beaten by police and pro-government supporters during protests.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of supporter

Noun

Unsheltered intertwined two plots related to the precarity of American life and the danger of demagogues—one set at the dawn of the MAGA era.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Unsheltered intertwined two plots related to the precarity of American life and the danger of demagogues — one set at the dawn of the MAGA era.

— Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of demagogue

Noun

The Republican losses indiscriminately wiped out GOP firebrands, moderates and veteran conservatives nationwide.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026
Some have complained that Becerra is an unworthy, boring torchbearer for Latinos — not dynamic enough to meet a moment where many hoped for a firebrand.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of firebrand

Noun

Sheeran argued that the decision to remove Macklemore as an opener, backed by the venues and promoters, came down to not wanting to disappoint fans or impact the other people working on the tour by cancelling.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026
Bryson DeChambeau, perhaps the most ardent promoter of LIV among current major championship contenders, faces an uncertain future after the dissolution of the league.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of promoter

Noun

There is perhaps no greater proponent of the statement coat than Jennifer Lawrence.

— Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2026
On the other hand, proponents might argue that reliably identifying individuals at risk of committing serious crimes could benefit society.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of proponent

Noun

From Georgia, South Carolina and Texas in the South to Ohio, Kansas and Iowa in the Midwest, insurgent Democrats not only won but did so with significant margins -- with notable shifts in key demographic groups and voting blocs.

— Elizabeth Schreier, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
Kiros' primary win was part of a wave of leftwing insurgent victories in the spring and summer that kindled the Democratic Party's fight over the direction of the party.

— CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of insurgent

Browse Nearby Words

agitational

agitator

agitators

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Style

“Agitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitator. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of agitator

noun

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