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 bird appears to observe its underwater surroundings without visible signs of agitation.
—
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026
Bebe remains still and calm while submerged, observing his underwater surroundings without visible signs of agitation.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
Our research shows that older adults with dementia may be at especially high risk of delirium and agitation in ED hallways.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
Initial withdrawal symptoms include rising blood pressure, tachycardia, agitation and nausea/vomiting, gradually leading to severe hypertension, altered mental status, and possible cardiac or neurologic complications, per the alert.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitation
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026
Bebe remains still and calm while submerged, observing his underwater surroundings without visible signs of agitation.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
Our research shows that older adults with dementia may be at especially high risk of delirium and agitation in ED hallways.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
Initial withdrawal symptoms include rising blood pressure, tachycardia, agitation and nausea/vomiting, gradually leading to severe hypertension, altered mental status, and possible cardiac or neurologic complications, per the alert.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitation
Noun
-
The hotel’s L’Oasis pool garden — hidden slightly farther inside the property away from the frenzy of the Croisette — mimics the show’s poolside power plays.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
In the 88th, a shot that sends Jamaica’s Blake flying across his goal at full stretch works the crowd into a frenzy.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
But the following year, as the pandemic wore on and crime rates ticked up, the politics of criminal justice in the city shifted toward law-and-order anxiety, even as new waves of COVID infection struck the jails.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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War rumbles on Putin, who has ruled Russia as president or prime minister since the last day of 1999, faces a wave of anxiety in Moscow about the war in Ukraine, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people, left swathes of Ukraine in ruins, and drained Russia’s $3 trillion economy.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Legendary television executive Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), the managing director of Corinium, is on a rampage.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
15 May 2026
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Among the various aspects of the movie that its English title refers to, not least is the unhinged rampage Lina unleashes at a couple of schoolgirls, a gringa loca on the razor’s edge.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Those fears have eased somewhat in recent months as some Democratic candidates advance from the pack.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Your co-parent is managing treatment, uncertainty and the very real fear of how this will affect his relationship with his daughter.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
High protein diets are all the rage nowadays—and for good reason.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
15 May 2026
-
Ménochet is a scary wonder as Marc, a great bear of a man who is chillingly adept at hiding his rage and possessiveness under the guise of a gentle, enlightened ascetic.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Accessibility Rooms for those with mobility needs are in place, and the fitness club, pool, spa, and public bathrooms also address accessibility concerns.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
Since then, a growing number of cities have opted to further regulate e-bikes, citing a growing number of incidents and safety concerns.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Another reasonable worry is energy.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2026
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With one less worry – a safe home – Denise can now imagine a future for her family.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Though the vote still failed largely along party lines, Murkowski's flip was a warning sign for the White House about the unease of some Republicans on Capitol Hill as the conflict drags on.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
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Many Asian countries now count China as their largest trading partner, a reality that creates both opportunity and unease.—
Yu Jie,
Time,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitation. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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