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

Because, as well as insisting on the superiority of white protestant morality and culture, the Klan viewed labor unions as un-American foreign ideologies tied to socialism and Bolshevism – all promoted by Jewish and Catholic agitators. —Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2025

Use 2 tablespoons in a standard top-load washer with a center agitator. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025

Earlier this month, Portland’s progressive-leaning city council was exploring ways to expel ICE from the detention facility that has become a flashpoint for violent clashes between agents and radical agitators. —Pilar Arias, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2025

As events in Eddington rise to national prominence, Aster cuts to a private jet full of antifa goons — the infamous outside agitators — being flown into the town by some malign puppet master. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 18 July 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