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
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
One activist investor, Third Point, had been agitating for Disney to spin off its ESPN sports television network, before ultimately conceding its value to the company.
—Dawn Chmielewski, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Already-skeptical House Republicans are agitating for House Speaker Mike Johnson to go to conference on the bill so the lower chamber can make its own changes.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The agitating action of a washer can cause the foam to break into pieces.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 17 Feb. 2026
The dollar rallied, even though Warsh has been agitating for more rate cuts, which tend to undermine the dollar’s value.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
This is why experts recommend vacuuming in different directions and thoroughly agitating the carpet piles.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
One activist investor, Third Point, had been agitating for Disney to spin off its ESPN sports television network, before ultimately conceding its value to the company.
—Dawn Chmielewski, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Already-skeptical House Republicans are agitating for House Speaker Mike Johnson to go to conference on the bill so the lower chamber can make its own changes.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The agitating action of a washer can cause the foam to break into pieces.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 17 Feb. 2026
The dollar rallied, even though Warsh has been agitating for more rate cuts, which tend to undermine the dollar’s value.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
This is why experts recommend vacuuming in different directions and thoroughly agitating the carpet piles.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitating
Adjective
-
Even after filling several roster holes in the NFL Draft, the Dolphins exited the weekend with a glaring need at safety and an uneasy situation on the edge, at wide receiver and at tight end.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Add onion and celery; cook until tender, stirring occasionally.—
Maddy Bendgen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
-
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 12th House of Secrets and Solitude, stirring dreams, memories, and subconscious patterns.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sit there like nothing is bothering you.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
But that doesn’t excuse failing to execute on the ABCs of lobbying — such as not bothering even to show up at a hearing on a policy the mayor considers an urgent priority.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On Thursday night, after shaking off a deal that was short-circuited by another team, the Ravens would make a pick (Penn State guard Vega Ioane) that symbolically spoke to the franchise’s core values.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Backstage, everyone was crying and shaking, Pearlman says.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For the second time this week, the state Senate spent hours discussing complicated technology legislation, with lawmakers once again advancing a bill over strong objections that regulating rapidly changing technology could negatively affect local businesses.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
-
At the start of the episode, the Awards Circuit Roundtable is back — and discussing some of the biggest Emmy news, including how submissions are down and what that will mean for this year’s race.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Angels fans who had regained some faith in Yusei Kikuchi after last weekend’s encouraging start could only watch with frustration as all of that was wiped away in one disturbing inning.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Most disturbing about the Game 3 blowout was not the who, but the how.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sections of the granite supports of the Keck statue are cannily manipulated and embellished with stars and swirling vortex-forms in Lithichrome paint into works of art themselves.—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The first half of the day is social, busy and swirling with messages from friends or coworkers.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The curators supply a historical backdrop, therefore, but discreetly, and without distracting us from Wright’s poetic originality.—
Julian Bell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Living Room also extends outdoors to the rooftop Terrazzo Bar with views that are almost too distracting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitating. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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