as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
no more agitating waits to find out sports scores—get them instantly online!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in bothering
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 shaking
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 discussing
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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of agitating
Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
Kiefer Sherwood Sherwood will open the season agitating the opposition on the forecheck and threatening as an against-the-grain attacking option in the bottom six.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, those on the right are agitating to declare left wing activists as terrorists.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025
If the leaves are especially dirty, soak in cold water, gently agitating them to loosen dirt and grit.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
But some hard-line conservatives, nervous about the prospect of being jammed with a massive, end-of-year omnibus and hoping to avoid negotiating with Democrats on spending increases, have been agitating for another full-year continuing resolution (CR).
—Aris Folley, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
The moon’s agitating clash with Chiron intensifies anxiety.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
Peter died in 2019, but Jane is still acting and agitating, starring on Netflix's Grace and Frankie for seven seasons, as well in the Book Club films (2018, 2023) and 80 for Brady (2023).
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
And avoid agitating material — rubbing can create pilling.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
What is the best way to investigate a spirit without agitating it?
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
Kiefer Sherwood Sherwood will open the season agitating the opposition on the forecheck and threatening as an against-the-grain attacking option in the bottom six.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, those on the right are agitating to declare left wing activists as terrorists.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025
If the leaves are especially dirty, soak in cold water, gently agitating them to loosen dirt and grit.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
But some hard-line conservatives, nervous about the prospect of being jammed with a massive, end-of-year omnibus and hoping to avoid negotiating with Democrats on spending increases, have been agitating for another full-year continuing resolution (CR).
—Aris Folley, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
The moon’s agitating clash with Chiron intensifies anxiety.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
Peter died in 2019, but Jane is still acting and agitating, starring on Netflix's Grace and Frankie for seven seasons, as well in the Book Club films (2018, 2023) and 80 for Brady (2023).
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
And avoid agitating material — rubbing can create pilling.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitating
Adjective
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With losses come uneasy fan bases, and with uneasy fan bases come edgy owners with itchy fingers, and with edgy owners and itchy fingers come coaches on hot seats.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
As their schemes spiral, father and son are forced into an uneasy alliance to save the family from total implosion.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Add pasta, and cook, stirring occasionally, according to package directions until tender.—
Elizabeth Mervosh,
Southern Living,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Under the pretense of a back-to-school rules review, the sophomore through senior classes at Ruskin were treated to a stirring drumline performance before a shocked Sixta took the the stage.—
Ilana Arougheti
Updated October 7,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The dog recognizes that something is amiss, but isn’t capable of understanding what’s really bothering Todd.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The injury that will sideline Herro to begin this season is one that had been bothering him for a few months.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In doing movements that don’t feel like a workout in the traditional sense but still leave you shaking and sore the next day.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
14 Oct. 2025
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The child who was allegedly attacked on the bus could then be seen in the footage shaking her head multiple times before the video ended.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Matthew Pigatt, director of small business and membership services at the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, plans on discussing the effects of the new open carry legislation with business people at an upcoming meeting.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
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The Last Temptation of Christ Guadagnino goes back to the source material when discussing this Scorsese film citing the novel its based on in the same breath as Marty.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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White, who works as a bartender in Malibu, said the connection was especially disturbing, FOX 11 reported.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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The allegations against this individual are disturbing and completely contrary to the values and mission of this department.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ironically, though, this comes as rumors of a possible feud between them have been swirling.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
10 Oct. 2025
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In the wake of an $8 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance, which closed in early August, rumors began swirling that Weiss was being courted to take over CBS News.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sets are decorated with vintage posters and props, enough to give texture without distracting.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
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The whole idea is to choose something that isn't too distracting.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitating. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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