as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
a political agitator who led an unsuccessful revolt against the government
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Recent Examples of agitator
They could be trapped in the door’s rubber seal or under the agitator, for example.
—
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Cabrera is accused of having a cockfighting training ring, a dead rooster in a cage, a rooster agitator (a device used to incite fighting), a gun, rooster vitamins, syringes and medication on his property.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
In a top-load washer, these might have gotten sucked into the agitator or spun out into the front panel of the machine.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 20 Feb. 2026
His record as an effective agitator for Black advancement positioned him as a go-to adviser for Chicago politicians who sought his endorsement.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitator
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Cabrera is accused of having a cockfighting training ring, a dead rooster in a cage, a rooster agitator (a device used to incite fighting), a gun, rooster vitamins, syringes and medication on his property.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
In a top-load washer, these might have gotten sucked into the agitator or spun out into the front panel of the machine.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 20 Feb. 2026
His record as an effective agitator for Black advancement positioned him as a go-to adviser for Chicago politicians who sought his endorsement.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitator
Noun
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Following the events of A Palace Near the Wind, Liu Lufeng and her siblings flee the Palace for the dangerous waters, which contain rebels, allies, and her sister Sangshu—though Sangshu’s conflicting loyalties may clash with Lufeng’s plan to keep them all safe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
An Iranian missile struck a fuel-oil tanker in Qatari waters Wednesday morning, while Houthi rebels launched a third barrage of missiles toward Israel.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both Turkish fans described a warm welcome from Kosovo supporters in the capital city.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Our financial supporters are not involved in any decisions about our journalism.—
Annalisa Merelli,
STAT,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Certainly Arendt, who lived through arguably darker times, did not see them as merely a product of the era’s monstrous demagogues.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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Following the outbreak of COVID-19, bias incidents and assaults against Asian Americans soared to alarming heights as demagogues on the streets and in high office inflamed xenophobic fear and animosity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Many commentators viewed Gaetz as a firebrand who was temperamentally unsuited for that position.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
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Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli firebrand minister of national security who spearheaded the push for the legislation, described the law as long overdue and a sign of strength and national pride.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As live performances became a more important source of revenue for artists and promoters, these factors contributed to a sustained rise in ticket costs, widening the gap between general consumer prices and the cost of attending major concerts.—
byDoug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
And so, Mitski’s team left it to concert promoter Goldenvoice to coordinate, getting in touch with Hollywood High School principal Samual Dovlatian.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While proponents say changes have made streets safer, critics suspect projects that reduce space for cars will only make traffic congestion worse — even after the construction disruptions end.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
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But the firm’s been arguably the leading proponent in America for making owners of the rank-in-file.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And, of course, radio jokester and provocateur Stern.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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The growth has elevated her from partisan provocateur to one of the most influential — and polarizing — voices on the right.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The act as insurgent against privilege, set to die in the rot of reason.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Mills’s primary opponent, oyster farmer and progressive insurgent Graham Platner, echoed other outsiders last year in calling for Schumer to lose his leadership post over his government shutdown dealings with Republicans.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitator. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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