AGITATES Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

agitates

verb

present tense third-person singular of agitate

as in stirs

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly this room could use a ceiling fan to agitate the stuffy air a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in disturbs

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

as in shakes

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

as in discusses

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 agitates The machine dryer agitates the clothing and prevents fibers from stiffening during drying, which is why clothing comes out feeling soft. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 23 Feb. 2026 This agitates me and my lead foot. — Matt Fuchs, Time, 20 Jan. 2026 As the sun agitates the moon, both options appeal. — Usa Today, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026 To admit what hurts, agitates, and offends us in fact illuminates what is complicated and good in us. — Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025 Stacey Rusch, however, is a conflict that Gizelle is still very much negotiating in the present day, and the Detroit Diva’s aloof and irreverent nature agitates all of Gizelle’s worst traits. — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025 The explainer agitates the problem and leads to your solution. — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025 There’s even a room equipped with soft surfaces for when clients inadvertently take a drug that agitates them. — Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitates

Verb

But after two decades in the rearview, Pluto’s demotion still stirs anger and controversy, and many people regard its change in status as a very bad thing.

— Mike Brown, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026
That’s just one example of how Healy has become the straw that stirs the drink for the Huskies.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of stirs

Verb

Traffic between somebody else's router and somebody else's laptop, say in a random coffee shop or an airport, can provide the radio field that your body disturbs to create your specific signature.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Tilling or plowing in the summer disturbs the soil's delicate ecosystem and exposes moist soil to rapid water loss.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 June 2026

Definition of disturbs

Verb

And the reduced flow of goods through one of the world’s most consequential shipping lanes could create a ripple effect that shakes the world’s economy.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 26 Aug. 2026
Miami likely will hold off on signing a 15th player to a standard contract, at least for now, in order to see who shakes free in the buyout market.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of shakes

Verb

That sequencing bothers people who’ve spent careers being told that data systems need privacy protections designed in, not bolted on after a scandal.

— Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
Kurt's key takeaways What bothers me most about this scam is that criminals are going after people who may have the fewest options to protect themselves.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of bothers

Verb

Every time my phone vibrates with a new text from him and my screen lights up with his name, a shot of serotonin goes straight to my heart.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
This painstakingly restored 4K version looks and sounds gorgeous; cinematographer Dante Spinotti’s work glows with saturated vibrancy, and Michel Rubini and the Reds’ score vibrates on a spooky synth frequency.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026

Definition of vibrates

Verb

While his party debates abolishing prisons and owning grocery stores, Democratic Mayor Daniel Lurie is cleaning up his city.

— Kate Andrews, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
The show, which has been on air for 15 years, uses a roundtable format in which the panel debates politics, pop culture and other current events.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of debates

Verb

There’s the studio version, which has some really interesting production, with Meg’s shuddering percussion that eventually grates and distracts, and Jack’s very chunky guitar.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
Outer Banks’ success has always rested on an emotional depth that distracts from nonsense plot points and over-the-top escapades.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026