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 The Soviet Union embraced Lenin’s concept of agitation—the use of emotional slogans and half-truths to influence the masses. — Marc Fisher, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for agitation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitation

Noun

The effort thrust Kansas City into a nationwide mid-decade redistricting frenzy amid a bitter fight for seats in Congress.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026
The Bank of America pledge isn’t limited to the AI frenzy, focusing on sectors such as transportation and water systems as well.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of frenzy

Noun

As economic anxiety reshapes American masculinity, a growing subculture of young and working-class men is turning to maxxing out their bodies as a way to reclaim value in a labor market that increasingly devalues physical work.

— Michael Kimmel, Time, 15 Aug. 2026
In other writings found on her cellphone, Clancy detailed her anxiety and depression, challenges raising her children and her hesitation to take new medication.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

The rampage caused more property damage, additional crashes between other vehicles and ultimately injuries to three people who were treated at a hospital.

— Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Taylor is now scheduled to stand trial later this year; he was accused of attacking three victims in a racially motivated rampage in downtown Santa Monica in 2023.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of rampage

Noun

The quake initially triggered fears of a tsunami, and a warning from Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, issuing alerts to stay away from beaches and calls for people to evacuate.

— Jason Volack, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Jacobita Cortes, a United Methodist pastor in Chicago, said that fear has changed the rhythms of her community.

— Maria Santana, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of fear

Noun

In 2024, the artist added a fifth video, Keening, addressing collective mourning and rage after October 7, 2023, in which Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took 240 more hostage.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Furious at seeing piles of dead bodies, Wolverine unlocks a rage ability where his devastating attacks do even more damage.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of rage

Noun

Connecticut Coalition for Pretrial Justice formed to press for reform of the cash bail system in Connecticut, something the group said keeps people behind bars not based on safety concerns but on their ability to pay.

— Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Reports have surfaced this week of mental health concerns aboard the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln as its crew endures more than 200 days without a port call during operations against Iran.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of concern

Noun

For some clubs that were running close to the wire under PSR, the shift will ease regulatory worries, as operating costs are now excluded.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Symptoms Symptoms can include sleeplessness, extreme worry about the baby or childbirth, restlessness and a racing heartbeat.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

According to Mukkamala, those professional challenges heighten the personal unease some clinicians feel treating addiction patients.

— Brian Mann, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026
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