1
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
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agitation
Far from a spiritual society blessed by the truth of God, the desperate world around them appears to have been reduced to nothing but transactions, with everyone out for themselves, which in turn enhances both the characters’ agitation and ours.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
But agitation, redness, and dry flakiness aren’t unheard of.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
When there was labor unrest, the coal town churches tended to side with the companies, advising miners against strikes or agitation.
—The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
Two days later, the Chiefs put aside the agitation and put up their best offensive outing in two years (and four days) for a 37-20 win against the Ravens.
—Sam McDowell 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitation
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
But agitation, redness, and dry flakiness aren’t unheard of.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
When there was labor unrest, the coal town churches tended to side with the companies, advising miners against strikes or agitation.
—The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
Two days later, the Chiefs put aside the agitation and put up their best offensive outing in two years (and four days) for a 37-20 win against the Ravens.
—Sam McDowell 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitation
Noun
-
That cut New York’s lead to 2-1 and sent the Charlotte crowd into a frenzy, hoping for a tying score in the game’s final minutes.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Nov. 2025
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Turns out, the frenzy was all over a bear (and sometimes, a cat).—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The attendees—thirty- and forty-somethings who are members of the bank’s Private Wealth Management (PWM) division, which boasts an average account size of over $75 million—gathered to hash out their anxiety and excitement.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
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Barton will have to wait another month to receive his sentence for the six guilty counts the jury returned on charges of sending a grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety to football broadcasters Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, and TV and radio host Jeremy Vine.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The agent took this to be a reference to the multifaceted terror rampage in France, which killed at least 130 people in 2015.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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Trump’s rampage through federal programs has proven a liability there.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
A lot of people get drawn into the fear, distracted by the thoughts in their head.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Many immigrant customers haven’t returned, while five of his former employees, despite having working papers, left Charlotte permanently out of fear.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The four-time NBA championship coach flew into a rage, aggressively gesturing at officials and screaming.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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Over the years, wallpaper has been all the rage.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The measures, which had been agreed to in writing in mid-November 2023, were intended to address Lively’s concerns about on-set conduct and safety.—
Elizabeth Rosner,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Venezuelan immigrants and political refugees are celebrating the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, despite local protests and legal concerns.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile Syria remains scarred by years of conflict and nationals in Germany are looking on at the debate with mounting worry.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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Leaders at big carmakers spelled out their worries in the latest round of earnings calls, saying that finding a replacement for Nexperia at scale in the short term will be difficult.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Mia Goth’s dual roles add another layer of unease.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Jan. 2026
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Political turmoil added to unease up North.—
Stephanie Hughes,
Fortune,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitation. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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