1
as in frenzy
a state of wildly excited activity or emotion
knew immediately, from the horses' agitation, that something terrible was happening
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in anxiety
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
experienced a great deal of agitation over whether she had an appropriate dress for her husband's inauguration
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agitation
Bebe remains still and calm while submerged, observing his underwater surroundings without visible signs of agitation.
—
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
Our research shows that older adults with dementia may be at especially high risk of delirium and agitation in ED hallways.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
Initial withdrawal symptoms include rising blood pressure, tachycardia, agitation and nausea/vomiting, gradually leading to severe hypertension, altered mental status, and possible cardiac or neurologic complications, per the alert.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Delicate cycles reduce the agitation on fabric, particularly with delicate wool and rayon pieces.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitation
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
Our research shows that older adults with dementia may be at especially high risk of delirium and agitation in ED hallways.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
Initial withdrawal symptoms include rising blood pressure, tachycardia, agitation and nausea/vomiting, gradually leading to severe hypertension, altered mental status, and possible cardiac or neurologic complications, per the alert.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Delicate cycles reduce the agitation on fabric, particularly with delicate wool and rayon pieces.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitation
Noun
-
The flight cuts come after the Federal Aviation Administration brought the hammer down on the flying frenzy at Chicago’s largest airport last month.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
The musical, brimming over with Broadway in-jokes and phallic humor, doesn’t build so much as whip itself into a frenzy.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Incoming college freshmen are easy targets for people looking to profit from anxiety about loneliness, which the former US Surgeon General called an epidemic.—
Mary Frances Ruskell,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
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Maygen says Paisley has struggled with anxiety ever since being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 2 years old.—
Nicki Cox,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The above breaks trends that began with Norris’ upset 2024 Miami Grand Prix win that broke the Invincible Verstappen rampage.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
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Chat logs obtained by the Florida Phoenix show 20-year-old Florida State University (FSU) student Phoenix Ikner, who killed two adults and wounded seven people during an April 2025 rampage on FSU’s campus, obsessively communicated with ChatGPT during the leadup to the shooting.—
Maggie Harrison Dupré,
Futurism,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Future Hall of Fame QBs are built to block out fear and bury doubt.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
According to some experts, this paralyzing fear and desperation are factors that scammers exploit to put their criminal schemes into action.—
Albinson Linares,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For one thing, when extremely evil people never seem to get their righteous and fiery comeuppance, my rage can curdle a bit.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
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Hathaway’s Catwoman is one of her best takes on feminine rage, juggling a sense of righteousness and nihilism that might clang unconvincingly in the hands of a different performer.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Noun
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The front office also faced growing concerns about whether Reese’s presence would deter the signing of returning veterans and key free agents the Sky had targeted.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Mercury in your 2nd House of Values keeps practical concerns active.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Prices surged overnight on worries that the war will affect the flow of crude for a long time.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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Wall Street’s strength followed manic swings in the oil market, where prices surged overnight on worries that the Iran war will affect the flow of crude for a long time.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the messages read out in court, the gang leader’s growing unease with the technology is apparent.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
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The speed of the map’s passage — and the circumstances surrounding it — have fueled outrage among Democrats and even unease within some Republican circles.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitation. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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