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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agitation
The finale is an ambiguous mix of jollity and agitation, with a piccolo shrieking above a militant march.
—
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
That shift can reduce fear and agitation.
—Brian Unger, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Excitement has made way for agitation.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
For years, Netanyahu resisted agitation within his own right-wing government to invade Gaza and topple its terrorist rulers.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitation
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
That shift can reduce fear and agitation.
—Brian Unger, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Excitement has made way for agitation.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
For years, Netanyahu resisted agitation within his own right-wing government to invade Gaza and topple its terrorist rulers.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitation
Noun
-
Played on the show by Sarah Pidgeon, audiences on TikTok have gone into a frenzy with appreciations and tutorials showing how to style Besette staples like a white shirt, pencil skirt, and headband.—
Valentina Bottoni,
Vanity Fair,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The whirling metal blades dominate the front yard with more frenzy movements than a four-year-old rushing to the bathroom.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The president is fighting against historical headwinds for the party in power and, like President Joe Biden before him, is navigating voter anxiety about the cost of living in America.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Mar. 2026
-
In a year where anxiety over studio contraction and the rise of artificial intelligence often consumed the industry, both films gave Hollywood fresh hope.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Investigators believe Jalloh was inspired by a 2009 shooting rampage at the Fort Hood military base in Texas, during which an Army psychiatrist killed 13 people and injured 32 others, Evans said.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Bella Hadid on a rampage through the streets of Paris, zooming around on her motorcycle and facing down cops — fun!—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Eyes wide, panting near panic, Foster perfectly captures the audience's own fear of being alone in the dark with a monster.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Iran’s neighbors, particularly Turkey and Iraq, are preparing contingency plans including border fortifications and refugee shelters amid fears of a potential crisis.—
Sam McNeil,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Hoover’s books inspire obsession, rage, devotion, the kind of energy that makes people purchase limited edition copies or declare themselves her biggest haters.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The visionary who saved rage rap from eternal Carti pastiche?—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Federal officers have used administrative warrants to do so, raising concerns that constitutional protections are being skirted.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The new legislation attempts to address some of those concerns.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Another couple moved their entire wedding into a massive underground garage, where hundreds of celebrants could party worry-free.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
So there was just a lot of worry about whether or not these would continue to be positioned correctly in the market.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Mann’s unease might have had deeper roots.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
In an unlikely collaboration, Google and Tesla are paying attention to Americans’ unease and sentiment.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitation. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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