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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The agitation of the team’s fanbase boiled to the surface this summer. — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Although the disease is characterized in media as causing unchecked fury, agitation and aggression are just two symptoms. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 An overloaded machine won’t provide enough agitation to clean the towels’ fibers properly, Sutherland explains. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 20 Aug. 2026 However, the laws were ultimately repealed after being met with massive agitations from farmers and farmer unions, especially from Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for agitation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitation

Noun

Mid-decade redistricting frenzy Vance suggested that Republican state lawmakers have every right to dilute the voting power of left-leaning Kansas City amid a bitter partisan fight for control of Congress.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
In 2023, the pair famously sent the internet into a frenzy when Swift appeared at a Chiefs game amid speculation that the two were dating.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of frenzy

Noun

Plus, the recent detention of several Haitian pastors by immigration authorities is fueling even more anxiety among congregants.

— Lauren Costantino September 19, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
Given the characters’ extreme situation, black humor also feels natural—a way of protecting themselves from anxiety and fear.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

And, of course, there won’t be many people who want to defend someone in that position — or, indeed, listen to any hard-luck stories — now the details have been outlined in court about his motorway rampage.

— Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The Indians continued their rampage on Thursday night, putting up 41 more points in Week 3 as the Indians came away with a 41-27 win over McKinney Boyd in front of a homecoming crowd at Keller ISD Stadium.

— Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of rampage

Noun

Lawrence has widened his aim to the entire AI industry, calling for a pause on AI development in the wake of fears from some at the companies that the technology could eliminate humanity.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Feldstein’s arrest was kept under a sweeping gag order, for fear that disclosing it would compromise Israeli intelligence, but the Haaretz reporter Bar Peleg soon learned of it.

— Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of fear

Noun

Right now, sensory toys are all the rage, so consider adding these $7 squishy toys to your cart.

— Anja Webb, Parents, 15 Sep. 2026
This was right in the peak of Elon Musk’s reconstruction of Twitter, privileging rage bait and engagement tactics that helped misinformation disseminate like fact.

— Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of rage

Noun

For Villa, there were mitigating circumstances in this latest defeat by Glasner, yet the worry is they are still being caught with the same punches.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Similar economic stressors like finding a new job if they get laid off, employer reductions of healthcare or retirement benefits, or simply not advancing in their career at pace significantly outrank worries about the impact of AI.

— Stacey Zolt Hara, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026