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
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Cancer June 21 – July 22 This morning stirs feelings close to home.
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Atlantic tropics are quiet while Pacific stirs In the Atlantic basin, forecasters are predicting a quiet stretch of weather.
Verb
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Tilling or plowing in the summer disturbs the soil's delicate ecosystem and exposes moist soil to rapid water loss.
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The pier in Michigan City’s Washington Park disturbs the natural flow of sand along the lakeshore, creating new land east of the pier but starving beaches to the west, an erosion problem repeated by other manmade structures that jut out into Lake Michigan.
Verb
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Huel offers nutritionally complete protein shakes as meal replacements.
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The room shakes, and my mug falls to the ground.
Verb
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This article discusses how Parent PLUS loans can become a retirement debt trap, how families should evaluate borrowing and what older borrowers can do before repayment problems become harder to fix.
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Emma D'Arcy discusses Rhaenyra's bold move on House of the Dragon season 3's second episode.
Verb
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What bothers me is the foot-dragging, the spinning in circles, the slow degradation of these characters into annoying stereotypes.
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What bothers me is the implication of a Labubu National Team full of these things.
Verb
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Nevertheless, Bonnie’s doting parents hope that Lilypad will help Bonnie make friends, oblivious to how the gizmo — and soon, their daughter — vibrates with anxiety.
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The household hums with collective energy and vibrates with handiwork, intention, love.
Verb
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As Silicon Valley debates whether AI will replace millions of office workers, one of the executives building the technology’s underlying infrastructure says Gen Z shouldn’t buy into the apocalyptic job displacement predictions.
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So vetting needs pre-agreed criteria like strategic fit, feasibility, and speed to impact scored before the room debates, so the idea gets evaluated instead of the person who had it.
Verb
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Mother’s explosion distracts Blaine and frees Sam.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Agitates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitates. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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