1
2
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
3
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
4
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
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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
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
-
At least once a week, Dahrouge or Goetz goes to nearby wetlands, stirs shin-deep water and collects silty samples filled with arthropods, daphnia and other macroscopic critters the salamanders will eat.—
Nathan Rott,
NPR,
27 May 2026
-
Her decision stirs conflicts with her husband (Bernal), daughter (Noomi Rapace), and AI assistant (Beanie Feldstein), revealing the humorous complexity of their relationships.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Regardless, there’s a clear symbolism to Clark empathizing and embracing a bloated externalization of his own inchoate fury until someone with an outside perspective disturbs his peace, and that fury breaks loose and devours him.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
That brings us to the part of the ShotSpotter discussion that perhaps disturbs us most.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The Moon, planet of our emotions, lifts your 10th House of Career, while innovative Uranus shakes your 4th House of Home and Family.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2026
-
The ones that are accepted are run through a machine that shakes the envelopes — this makes the ballot sink to the bottom of the envelope — and slices them open.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
This entry discusses theories of press–government relations, the functions of the state in relation to the press, and characterizations of the press’s role in relation to government.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 May 2026
-
The group — which the neighbors call a pod and numbers about 10 — often discusses their older years at the weekly dinners that started in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which devastated the Asheville area in September 2024.—
Jessica Blough,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Shields added at the time that she's learned to speak up when something bothers her rather than assuming her spouse can read her mind.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
27 May 2026
-
The programmer's rhythm is broken repeatedly, and the cumulative delay between intent and result is longer than anyone bothers to measure.—
Russ Bukowski,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Every night the Dallas Stars host playoff games, the area in and around the American Airlines Center vibrates with activity, commerce and life.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Inside, standing 43 inches tall, a silver speaker from Takahiro Miyashita’s brand TheSoloist vibrates high fidelity through the showroom.—
Samantha Lee
Connect
April 17,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the podcast industry debates the definition of a podcast and wades through unclear ad measurement tools, a secret industrywide taskforce has been meeting to combat the problem.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
28 May 2026
-
Finally, leaders should pay attention to who speaks less when one person debates more.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Mother’s explosion distracts Blaine and frees Sam.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
-
In my view, platforming these young men and sensationalizing their behaviors, rather than recognizing those behaviors as signs of psychological distress, distracts from the urgent need to address these serious mental health concerns.—
Jordyn Tovey,
The Conversation,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitates. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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