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
Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 23 June 2025
In September 2023, he was arrested on a misdemeanor trespassing charge after allegedly being told to leave a suburban Las Vegas casino and becoming agitated at being asked for his ID.
—Dave Collins, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
The Covid era marks the start of America’s social collapse, eventually leading to the politically agitated George Floyd riots — a psychic disintegration that resembles Aster’s previous Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau Is Afraid, horror-movie spectacles that some impressionable people take seriously.
—Armond White, National Review, 23 July 2025
Coastal Commission staff said during last year’s San Diego fireworks, California least terns and their fledglings became agitated and left their nests to run or fly; staff also said fireworks debris can impair water quality and that wildlife may entangle themselves in the debris, or ingest it.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitated
Adjective
In the last three months alone, a man mowing his property died after a bee attack, three people were taken to the hospital after tree trimmers disturbed a colony, hikers ran a mile to get away from an agitated hive and a woman and three horses were swarmed by bees spooked by a lawn mower.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 23 June 2025
In September 2023, he was arrested on a misdemeanor trespassing charge after allegedly being told to leave a suburban Las Vegas casino and becoming agitated at being asked for his ID.
—Dave Collins, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
The Covid era marks the start of America’s social collapse, eventually leading to the politically agitated George Floyd riots — a psychic disintegration that resembles Aster’s previous Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau Is Afraid, horror-movie spectacles that some impressionable people take seriously.
—Armond White, National Review, 23 July 2025
Coastal Commission staff said during last year’s San Diego fireworks, California least terns and their fledglings became agitated and left their nests to run or fly; staff also said fireworks debris can impair water quality and that wildlife may entangle themselves in the debris, or ingest it.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitated
Adjective
-
While brands are mostly irrelevant at Low Timers, there are a few heritage names in workwear that get collectors excited.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
6 Aug. 2025
-
During the quarter-mile hike, one of the young participants was excited to find a salamander underneath a log.—
Deena Butterfield,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Belly is distraught with all the wedding planning, Conrad explains.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
13 Aug. 2025
-
But when reports appear in the paper implicating Lizzy in an affair, Nan is distraught and recruits her mom, Patricia St. George (Christina Hendricks) for help.—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published,
EW.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This move has stirred controversy and concern amongst community leaders in New Orleans, a city with a historically high homicide rate.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Jan. 2025
-
The search results stirred hope.—
Lauren Peace,
Orlando Sentinel,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Richard Arnold, the chief executive whose departure had already been announced, went round the room and shook everyone’s hand, expressing his belief the future at United would be bright.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
23 Dec. 2024
-
The camera then cut to Johansson, who shook her head while grimacing.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
22 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The officials discussed specific plans being drawn up to bomb Houthi targets in Yemen over the next two days, debating the pros and cons of carrying out the strikes.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
-
The Secretary discussed Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza, and efforts to help release the hostages and bring them home.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This thinking — amplified by extensive 24/7 hybrid media coverage and heated venture capital echo chambers — obscures a more nuanced transformation occurring at the periphery of traditional power structures.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Boreyko's lab discovered that this effect can also be achieved in ice simply by placing a thin, flat disc of ice on a heated aluminum surface.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Many were worried about stripping precipitation out of a cloud and robbing people downstream of rain.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, however, didn’t necessarily appear worried when asked what joint practices taught him about his cornerbacks.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Even the guards appeared to be disturbed.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
-
These five destinations show that sharing the shore with animals can be calm, safe and memorable for the right reasons when animals aren’t fed or disturbed.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitated. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share