AGITATING Synonyms: 196 Similar and Opposite Words

agitating 1 of 2

adjective

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

agitating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of agitate

as in stirring

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly this room could use a ceiling fan to agitate the stuffy air a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of agitating

Verb

Washing machines take care of that with their tumbling or agitating action. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026 That would be Saba Capital, a hedge fund that’s been agitating for change among CEFs for years. — Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 The 24-year-old Netherlands international, who has scored twice at this summer’s World Cup, is not agitating to leave, but West Ham are resigned to losing the talented attacker. — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 25 June 2026 After that, the day shift starts agitating for a pizza party. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitating

Adjective

But further listens reveal something uneasy below the surface.

— Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026
Casey imagines America as a crumbling hotel, with each of the album’s nine songs occupying a room haunted by its own uneasy guest.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 22 July 2026

Definition of uneasy

Verb

Add the onion and rosemary sprigs and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and beginning to caramelize.

— Laura Mclively, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Cook, stirring occasionally, until eggplant is softened and golden brown, 6–8 minutes.

— Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 July 2026

Definition of stirring

Verb

Wasps are generally more interested in building their colony and finding food than in bothering people.

— Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 July 2026
But after going ahead, England manager Thomas Tuchel tried to shut the back door by throwing on countless defenders and not bothering to attack Argentina anymore.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

Definition of bothering

Verb

Lopez met with The Club’s HOA board to discuss safety concerns that homeowners said were caused by overcrowded units, such as a shaking elevator that dropped multiple floors and water leaking into hallways.

— Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
Republicans would emphasize border security and an economy that was finally shaking off years of high inflation.

— Jill Colvin, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Definition of shaking

Verb

China’s social media has lit up in celebration of their achievement, with the top two trending topics on China’s X-like Weibo Friday morning discussing the win.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Industry chatter intensified this week when Jones' name surfaced in reports discussing the Yankees' deadline strategy.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of discussing

Adjective

Stuck together, wandering through thick green woods for days, the conversation between Sam and Paul drifts in an increasingly disturbing direction.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
Wilde noted how Musk has perpetuated some of incel culture’s more disturbing ideology, particularly the belief that men are more powerful than nature.

— Zack Sharf, Variety, 22 July 2026

Definition of disturbing

Verb

The claim and counterclaim are among serious allegations – including of smear campaigns and embezzlement – aired in multiple court cases now swirling around the production of the Australian musical comedy.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
The assertion was intended to clear up confusion that began swirling over the weekend around a false positive test from the Food and Drug Administration—which Taylor Farms celebrated, sparking confusion.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026

Definition of swirling

Verb

Freeland resembles Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, drawing back the curtain that hides the smoke machine when the Wizard of Oz is not a wizard at all, but a carnival illusionist distracting the population.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 22 July 2026
Depicting that dress faithfully would likely be distracting to a modern audience and leave the film unmarketable.

— Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026