AGITATION Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

agitation

noun

ˌa-jə-ˈtā-shən

Definition of agitation

as in frenzy

a state of wildly excited activity or emotion knew immediately, from the horses' agitation, that something terrible was happening

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 agitation This elusive phenomenon, responsible for so much confusion and agitation, was a hallmark of the intellectual movement known as French theory, or more frequently, theory. — Emily Eakin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 After three decades of agitation led by Mahatma Gandhi, India and Pakistan won independence from Great Britain and were partitioned into separate countries. — USA Today, 28 July 2026 The 49ers opened training camp over the weekend with Aiyuk absent but still technically a member of the team despite his public agitation to be released. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 27 July 2026 Otero Alcántara co-founded the San Isidro Movement in 2018 with a group of artists, journalists, and academics who participated in pro-democracy agitations against the Cuban government. — News Desk, Artforum, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for agitation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitation

Noun

That is, of course, completely unnecessary as Nolan’s version has broken box-office records and caused an ongoing ticket frenzy.

— Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2026
This has the support of Israel’s far right government, which faces a possible loss of power in an October election, and that’s led to a frenzy of settlement activity.

— Greg Dixon, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of frenzy

Noun

Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, were killed in the rampage, which sent shock waves through Winder, Georgia, a small town northeast of Atlanta.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 31 July 2026
The ensemble eking out hope in the Terrordome includes Angela McBride (Suzette Llewellyn), a mother of two who goes on a violent rampage of justice-seeking after a gut-wrenching loss.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 July 2026

Definition of rampage

Noun

Leaders in Springfield say the growing ICE presence many fear hasn’t yet materialized.

— Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Finally, heading off to senior year wearing a Care Bears backpack could be a coping mechanism that helps teens deal with fears about the future.

— Melissa Willets, Parents, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of fear

Noun

The elephant deaths and disputes about the cause have intensified concerns over growing human-wildlife conflict in the region due to expanding agricultural activities near Amboseli park.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
For some observers, the public nature of the event raised concerns.

— Abby Dodge, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of concern

Noun

But the worry is that hackers could cause greater disruptions, such as a surge in water pressure that could burst pipes and endanger critical facilities, including hospitals, Corman said.

— Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
As new-ish CBS News chieftain Bari Weiss looks poised to rule over CNN too, there are worries in Blue State and MSM circles about the fate of the cable newser — a thorn in Donald Trump‘s paw — if the ParaBros deal closes.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

Such talk seemed fanciful until this week, despite long-term unease with Infantino’s style and previous attempts to force through unpopular projects.

— Graham Dunbar, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
Wilson, playing Tom’s own version of that unease a few beats earlier, needed only the smallest gesture to register it.

— JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026