agitation

noun

ag·​i·​ta·​tion ˌa-jə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce agitation (audio)
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 delusionsOliver 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 adjective

Examples of agitation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Insomnia, agitation, rapid heartbeat, and stomach issues are potential side effects of Ginseng. 6. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024 Once again working alongside producer-songwriter Dan Nigro, Rodrigo made sure every post-childhood fear, romantic agitation and cynical realization landed with emotional clarity and instrumental force, whether through a thicket of guitar fuzz or beautifully restrained balladry. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 12 Dec. 2023 For example, the researchers stated, doctors may make different assessments of the level of delirium or agitation of a non-English-speaking patient compared to an English-speaking patient. Emi Tuyetnhi Tran, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024 Lucas, her expression registering rage and despair, unbuttoned her cuffs, removed her tie, unbuttoned her shirt with rising agitation – spat her words, tossed her shirt to the ground, extended her arms wide. Panchalay Chalermkraivuth, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 Alkaline hydrolysis uses water, alkaline chemicals and heat, as well as some pressure and agitation, to accelerate natural decomposition. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Jan. 2024 Between 2020 and 2021, the state of Punjab in particular was very much the focus of the farmers’ agitation against the government of Narendra Modi and the B.J.P., which wanted to deregulate the farming sector. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2023 That’s because, despite years of blasting folks like Fink for mixing investment returns with attempts at social change, what’s tipped the balance, if that’s what’s happening, hasn’t been political agitation, but a force that’s far more powerful. Bob Ivry, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 After watching her son’s agitation increase, Austrian asked for medical assistance and EMS be contacted. Kaitlyn Schwanemann, CNN, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'agitation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of agitation was in 1547

Dictionary Entries Near agitation

Cite this Entry

“Agitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agitation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

agitation

noun
ag·​i·​ta·​tion ˌaj-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce agitation (audio)
: a state of excessive psychomotor activity accompanied by increased tension and irritability
agitated adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on agitation

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