agitation

noun

ag·​i·​ta·​tion ˌa-jə-ˈtā-shən 

plural agitations

1

: the act or an instance of agitating something : a moving back and forth or with an irregular, rapid, or violent action

In candy making, this agitation usually consists of working the chocolate back and forth on a marble surface with a large scraper.

—Rose Levy Beranbaum

The technology is based on the controlled agitation of concentrated ore particles with precisely determined amounts of acid.

—Corale L. Brierley

2

: a state or feeling of being agitated and restless

nervous agitation

Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like a vice upon my wrist in his agitation.

—Arthur Conan Doyle

She sat some time in a good deal of agitation, listening, trembling, and fearing to be sent for every moment …

—Jane Austen

: a state of excessive psychomotor activity accompanied by increased tension and irritability

… characterized by prominent agitation, irritability, and delusions …

—Oliver Freudenreich et al.

Propranolol and other beta-blockers suppress physical symptoms of agitation and anxiety by slowing down the sympathetic nervous system.

—The Harvard Mental Health Letter

3

: a persistent and sustained attempt to arouse public feeling or influence public opinion (as by appeals, discussions, or demonstrations)

political agitation

… makes it clear that this assertive attitude of black women was essential during the agitation for civil rights.

—Gloria Naylor

agitational

ˌa-jə-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of agitation

• frenzy
• rampage
• rage

Examples of agitation in a Sentence

knew immediately, from the horses' agitation, that something terrible was happening

experienced a great deal of agitation over whether she had an appropriate dress for her husband's inauguration

Recent Examples on the Web

The Soviet Union embraced Lenin’s concept of agitation—the use of emotional slogans and half-truths to influence the masses. — Marc Fisher, New Yorker, 30 July 2026

This elusive phenomenon, responsible for so much confusion and agitation, was a hallmark of the intellectual movement known as French theory, or more frequently, theory. — Emily Eakin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026

After three decades of agitation led by Mahatma Gandhi, India and Pakistan won independence from Great Britain and were partitioned into separate countries. — USA Today, 28 July 2026

The 49ers opened training camp over the weekend with Aiyuk absent but still technically a member of the team despite his public agitation to be released. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin agitātiōn-, agitātiō "violent moving or movement," from agitāre "to set in motion, agitate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for agitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Medical Definition

agitation

noun

ag·​i·​ta·​tion ˌaj-ə-ˈtā-shən 

: a state of excessive psychomotor activity accompanied by increased tension and irritability

agitated

ˈaj-ə-ˌtāt-əd 

adjective