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
Rose Levy BeranbaumThe technology is based on the controlled agitation of concentrated ore particles with precisely determined amounts of acid.—Corale L. Brierley
Corale L. Brierley2
: 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
Arthur Conan DoyleShe 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
Jane Austen… characterized by prominent agitation, irritability, and delusions …—Oliver Freudenreich et al.
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
The Harvard Mental Health Letter3
: 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
Gloria NaylorExamples 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 hour-and-a-half-long documentary unraveled Lorincz’s building agitation with neighborhood kids playing in a field near her home through 911 calls, deputy body camera video and detective interviews.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
On top of that, the agitation and tumbling in your washer and dryer will worsen shrinking.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Far from a spiritual society blessed by the truth of God, the desperate world around them appears to have been reduced to nothing but transactions, with everyone out for themselves, which in turn enhances both the characters’ agitation and ours.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
But agitation, redness, and dry flakiness aren’t unheard of.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitation
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.
Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
On top of that, the agitation and tumbling in your washer and dryer will worsen shrinking.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Far from a spiritual society blessed by the truth of God, the desperate world around them appears to have been reduced to nothing but transactions, with everyone out for themselves, which in turn enhances both the characters’ agitation and ours.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
But agitation, redness, and dry flakiness aren’t unheard of.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitation
Cite this Entry
“Agitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agitation. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
agitation
noun
ag·i·ta·tion
ˌaj-ə-ˈtā-shən
: a state of excessive psychomotor activity accompanied by increased tension and irritability
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share