1
as in excited
being in a state of increased activity or agitation
all ferry crossings were cancelled because of the agitated waters around the islands
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in distraught
feeling overwhelming fear or worry
by the time they finally showed up, long after midnight, we'd become so agitated that we never did get to sleep that night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in alarmed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
there's no need to agitate the patient about little things
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shook
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
set the washing machine so it will agitate for four minutes before going into the rinse cycle
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in discussed
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
a question which has been agitated by the legislature time and time again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of agitated
Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
In a September 15 TikTok video posted by user @belmelly, a dog sat in the backseat of a vehicle, agitated and barking nonstop.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
According to Albert Speer’s Inside the Third Reich, Hitler was agitated by Owens’s four-gold-medal performance, and declared that Black athletes were jungle primitives who should be excluded from future competitions.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitated
Adjective
Thomas appeared agitated that he was not allowed to resume playing.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
In a September 15 TikTok video posted by user @belmelly, a dog sat in the backseat of a vehicle, agitated and barking nonstop.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
Hedda’s Tesman is, thanks to the casting of Bateman, incredibly handsome and far more self-aware than the play’s version of his character, constantly tense and agitated by being overshadowed and overlooked, despite being as aware as anyone of his evident shortcomings.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
According to Albert Speer’s Inside the Third Reich, Hitler was agitated by Owens’s four-gold-medal performance, and declared that Black athletes were jungle primitives who should be excluded from future competitions.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitated
Adjective
-
No pretending to be too cool to be excited, just vibing and living in the moment.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Now Lomax is excited for future opportunities to work with other brands.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Cameras showed Spoelstra pulling up to the house and looking distraught, according to WSVN-TV in Miami.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
In footage from local station WPLG-TV, Spoelstra, 55, was at the scene, looking distraught as firefighters battled the flames.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Watson stirred controversy late in life, tarnishing his reputation as a scientist in a series of racist remarks.—
Christina Zdanowicz,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The Hill’s Emily Brooks reports that Roberts’s statement has stirred backlash from GOP senators and several traditionally conservative organizations, including from staffers inside Heritage itself.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The nearly 4,300-member tribe has long been alarmed at the state of its life-giving waterway, CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores wrote in a statement shared with The Arizona Republic.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Sexton called for the review after hearing from owners alarmed by the rapid rise in assessed values.—
Austin Hornbostel,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
And Tagovailoa shook off that early interception with a 9-yard scoring pass to Malik Washington — capping a ferocious seven-minute, 92-yard drive — and then a 38-yard TD strike to Jaylen Waddle.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Miller finished with 129 yards on 18 carries, while Jayden Maiava shook off a poor day throwing the ball with 62 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
For example, as part of its agreement with OpenAI, Nvidia has reportedly discussed guaranteeing loans the startup would use to build its own data centers—a move that could leave the chipmaker on the hook for billions in debt if OpenAI can’t repay.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Beyond Tuesday’s news, here’s a look at what else happened recently that has already given the trial shape — from who will be called to the witness stand, to which financial disclosures will be discussed, to the likelihood of a settlement.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The hotel is a half-mile from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and comes with heated pools and hot tubs, as well as a fitness center and airport shuttle.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Carlson’s treatment of Fuentes on the show was in direct contrast to the pundit’s heated interview with Cruz in June.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In response, the White House is planning to adjust its messaging strategy to focus on affordability to try to win over voters who are worried about the high cost of living with plans to emphasize new tax breaks and show progress on fighting inflation.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Are Americans worried about inflation just wrong?—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitated. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share