AGITATIONS Synonyms: 280 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'agitate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse , rock , and shake . While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring. // an ocean agitated by storms

Q: When is it sensible to use 'convulse' instead of 'agitate'?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm. // spectators were convulsed with laughter

Q: Where would 'rock' be a reasonable alternative to 'agitate'?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval. // the whole city was rocked by the explosion

Q: When can 'shake' be used instead of 'agitate'?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose. // shake well before using

agitate 1 of 2

verb

ˈa-jə-ˌtāt

Definition of agitate

as in to stir

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly this room could use a ceiling fan to agitate the stuffy air a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to disturb

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy there's no need to agitate the patient about little things

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements set the washing machine so it will agitate for four minutes before going into the rinse cycle

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to discuss

to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion a question which has been agitated by the legislature time and time again

Synonyms & Similar Words

agitation

2 of 2

noun

ˌa-jə-ˈtā-shən

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word agitate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse, rock, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When is it sensible to use convulse instead of agitate?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

Where would rock be a reasonable alternative to agitate?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

When can shake be used instead of agitate?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

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 agitate

Verb

Whether that was a message to the fans getting agitated at a pause on signings or the board who were considering their next move, only Carrick knows. — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Paramount and other groups, including cinema chain owners and some Hollywood unions, have agitated for a settlement to curtail months of uncertainty over whether the deal will go through. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Noun

Adverse effects include respiratory depression, seizures, loss of consciousness, tachycardia and agitation. — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 But Sunday saw a different degree of agitation compared to the first two. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for agitate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate

Verb

Gizelle, who has been stirring the pot and playing producer for everyone on the trip, keeps up her conniving ways by sitting down all the RHOP ladies except for Candiace during their Potomac retrospective moment at the party.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
The Moon enters adventurous Leo, stirring your interest in travel, education, or an idea that could expand your options.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of stir

Verb

As Gansey greeted them, shaking hands, taking photos and smiling endlessly, one stepped forward with a question that encapsulated everything.

— Tony Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
More than a year of demonstrations sometimes drawing hundreds of thousands of people shook Vucic more than ever during his 14 years in power.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of shake

Verb

In my 17 seasons in the professional game, dealing with persistent infringement was never discussed at a training meeting, and no single method was promoted as best practice.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The novelist and journalist Mary McCarthy, by contrast, is discussed at length, though her inclusion even in the second sense seems unconvincing.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of discuss

Verb

The only way Paul managed a point the whole game was with a 136 mph bullet to the corner that Alcaraz didn’t even bother moving for.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Ohtani reported that the area from his biceps to his neck was bothering him Wednesday night, Roberts said.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

Saturated in velvety blues, reds, and blacks, Zumthor’s surfaces all but vibrate; the subtle variations in the application of the paint and the alchemy of the pigment on the concrete substrate bring the walls maximally to life.

— Katy Barkan, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
All of this has to work while the brush head vibrates at 58,000 revs per minute.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of vibrate

Verb

But scientists have debated what causes electrons to pair up and produce the effect.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Collapse adds to debate over Kennedy Center renovations The collapse comes as the Kennedy Center board's plan to temporarily close the facility for a two-year renovation remains tied up in federal court.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of debate

Verb

While the behavior was distracting, Osaka hopes that bringing tennis to a new audience overall will benefit the sport, as long as new fans learn the rules and etiquette of spectating.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
While the President tries to distract Americans from his disastrous war in Iran, gas prices keep soaring.

— Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of distract

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agita

agitate

agitated

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Style

“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of agitate

verb

noun

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