agitator

noun

ag·​i·​ta·​tor ˈa-jə-ˌtā-tər 

: one that agitates: such as

a

: one who stirs up public feeling on controversial issues

political agitators

b

: a device or an apparatus for stirring or shaking

Synonyms

• rebel
• supporter
• demagogue
• firebrand
• promoter
• proponent
• provocateur
• insurgent
• demonstrator
• reformer
• protester
• advocate
• instigator
• apostle
• exciter
• demagog
• inciter
• rabble-rouser
• fomenter

Examples of agitator in a Sentence

The police arrested several anti-government agitators.

a political agitator who led an unsuccessful revolt against the government

Recent Examples on the Web

Police officials said force was used only after a group of agitators began pelting officers with bottles, fireworks and other objects. —Karim Doumar, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025

The Austin Police Department (APD) has released mugshots of eight people who were arrested after anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agitators turned violent this week. —Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025

Chicago and the state must be prepared to crack down on outside agitators who come to the city to incite violence, including applying federal charges and seeking damages from individuals and organizations responsible for violence. —Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025

Foolish agitators who take advantage of Trump's chaos will be held accountable. —Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

agitate + -or entry 1

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for agitator

• activator
• actuator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator
• calculator

Kids Definition

agitator

noun

ag·​i·​ta·​tor ˈaj-ə-ˌtāt-ər 

1

: a person who stirs up public feeling

2

: a device for stirring or shaking