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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Recent Examples of agitating
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 12 June 2026
That was usually Andy agitating.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
Fry, gently agitating fritters to ensure even browning until golden brown, puffed, and cooked through (a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean), 3 to 4 minutes.
—Emily Teel, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2026
At this point, those agitating against the merger might see their most realistic option being to lobby for conditions on the merger, such as job-protection guarantees or production minimums.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 May 2026
For years, Mira has been agitating for more independence.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
And Anderson is said to be behaving impeccably in not agitating for a move.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Pour in egg mixture and immediately stir with a heatproof rubber spatula, incorporating ham and gently agitating eggs, and running it along edges until sides begin to bubble, about 30 seconds.
—Inés Anguiano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
Barnes took on Jokic and fronted him aggressively, agitating him early in the game, but the three-time MVP managed to fight through it and limit his turnovers to two this time.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
What Elliott did not know in 2024, Kapur says, is that his team had already begun working on the breakup the investor was agitating for.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 12 June 2026
That was usually Andy agitating.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
Fry, gently agitating fritters to ensure even browning until golden brown, puffed, and cooked through (a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean), 3 to 4 minutes.
—Emily Teel, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2026
At this point, those agitating against the merger might see their most realistic option being to lobby for conditions on the merger, such as job-protection guarantees or production minimums.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 May 2026
For years, Mira has been agitating for more independence.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
And Anderson is said to be behaving impeccably in not agitating for a move.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Pour in egg mixture and immediately stir with a heatproof rubber spatula, incorporating ham and gently agitating eggs, and running it along edges until sides begin to bubble, about 30 seconds.
—Inés Anguiano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
Barnes took on Jokic and fronted him aggressively, agitating him early in the game, but the three-time MVP managed to fight through it and limit his turnovers to two this time.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitating
Adjective
-
These memories of his brief, sad human life are uneasy dreams that Lestat wakes from on his tour bus as the sun sets over the road to Toledo.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
-
On top of the tense, uneasy dynamic created by the duo’s pairing, the series is wrapped in a twisty web of peripheral problems.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Alternatively, microwave chocolate at 50 percent power in 30-second increments, stirring well between each, until mostly melted.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
13 June 2026
-
However, Venus in Cancer will square Chiron in Aries, stirring feelings of vulnerability around romance, money and self-worth.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Instead of lobbing the ball from end to end, teams played straight up the gut (brighter red colour), barely even bothering to use the wings (darker blue colour).—
John Muller,
New York Times,
6 June 2026
-
Brunson turned on the boosters in the second half, attacking the Spurs' defense and showing little sign that his knee was bothering him.—
Alejandro Avila,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Twenty minutes later, Balogun scored again, after shaking off a tackle and sending the ball just inside the goalpost.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
13 June 2026
-
In the post-game interview, asked how the victory felt to share with his father, Brunson paused shaking his head, too overwhelmed to speak.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Gabe then sheds some tears while discussing his persona in the house, and says that he's now bonded with Jonna over their similar upbringing.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Dec. 2025
-
The pair talk about everything, from fun chitchat to discussing schemes and how Riley can get his body healthy as his load increases.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The decision reignites one of the most disturbing trials in recent years – a tale full of drug abuse, domestic violence, false testimony and a missing 5-year-old girl.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
-
Some clips, showing officers performing rapid and intense chest compressions on Lucy, were so disturbing that members of her family left the courtroom in tears.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Listen to the episode or read on below for more on what Sweeney thought about Cassie’s final monologue, the rumors swirling around about drama within the cast, and the pole dancing scene that didn’t make the final cut.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
9 June 2026
-
But recently, rumors started swirling that there was another bomb to drop.—
Julia Terruso,
Time,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Finally, toolbars are becoming more consistent, and the distracting icons in drop-down menus are quietly disappearing.—
Edward Mendelson,
PC Magazine,
10 June 2026
-
The formal obligation to bow or curtsy will force targets to bend a knee and break eye contact—a perfect opening for the President to place something distracting like a Twix bar on their heads.—
Dahlia Gallin Ramirez,
New Yorker,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitating. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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