Synonyms of agitate

agitate 1 of 2

verb

ˈa-jə-ˌtāt 

1

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

• stir
• wash
• swirl
• shake
• whisk
• churn
• whip
• whirl
• beat
• wheel
• paddle
• reel

2

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

• disturb
• bother
• distract
• worry
• alarm
• concern
• unsettle
• anger
• annoy
• upset
• distress
• irritate
• perturb
• haunt
• derail
• confuse
• discomfort
• discompose
• unhinge
• plague
• disquiet
• dismay
• ail
• undo
• rattle
• exercise
• embarrass
• aggravate
• fuss
• exasperate
• flurry
• distemper
• harass
• rile
• freak (out)
• discourage
• vex
• irk
• frazzle
• pester
• weird out
• bug
• chafe
• bedevil
• hagride
• pique
• put off
• fluster
• grate
• put out
• disconcert
• fret
• discomfit
• mortify
• confound
• discountenance
• gall
• get
• harry
• nettle
• demoralize
• chivy
• dispirit
• unnerve
• dishearten
• shake up
• faze
• abash
• peeve
• jar
• daunt
• nonplus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• settle
• soothe
• compose
• calm
• quiet
• alleviate
• allay
• assuage
• tranquilize
• pacify
• appease
• placate
• mollify
• conciliate
• propitiate

3

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

• shake
• vibrate
• jerk
• shudder
• tremble
• quiver
• convulse
• shiver
• sway
• jiggle
• bucket
• twitch
• wobble
• jolt
• quake
• swing
• joggle
• judder
• jounce
• flicker
• throb
• wave
• rock
• chatter
• flutter
• oscillate
• thrill
• pulsate
• waver
• fluctuate
• undulate
• palpitate
• pulse
• quaver
• beat
• dodder
• pit-a-pat
• pitter-patter

4

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

• discuss
• debate
• argue
• dispute
• canvass
• talk over
• raise
• review
• moot
• bandy
• bat (around or back and forth)
• introduce
• consider
• propound
• talk (about)
• stir up
• hash (over or out)
• speak (about)
• weigh
• broach
• deliberate
• forge
• hammer out
• thrash (out)
• wrestle (with)
• talk out
• chew over

agitation

2 of 2

noun

ˌa-jə-ˈtā-shən 

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

• frenzy
• rampage
• rage
• hysteria
• delirium
• fury
• fever
• feverishness
• uproar
• furore
• furor
• confusion
• distraction
• flap
• deliriousness
• chaos
• turmoil
• commotion
• disorder
• disturbance
• stir
• havoc
• pandemonium
• tumult
• to-do
• clamor
• bedlam
• clatter
• bustle
• ruckus
• brouhaha
• tempest
• hubbub
• ruction
• hullabaloo
• rumpus
• storm
• fuss
• squall
• shindy
• hurly-burly
• stew
• bother
• hoo-ha

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peace
• calmness
• still
• calm
• quietude
• tranquility
• restfulness
• stillness
• quiet
• serenity
• placidity
• repose
• peacefulness
• sereneness
• tranquilness

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

• anxiety
• fear
• concern
• worry
• unease
• concernment
• uneasiness
• nervousness
• disquietude
• fearfulness
• apprehension
• perturbation
• disquiet
• tension
• uncertainty
• solicitude
• apprehensiveness
• discomfort
• anxiousness
• panic
• desperation
• sweat
• stress
• care
• nervosity
• agita
• anguish
• disturbance
• distress
• dread
• doubt
• tremor
• consternation
• desperateness
• dismay
• strain
• angst
• alarm
• upset
• vexation
• discomposure
• jitters
• torment
• suspense
• distraction
• jumpiness
• hand-wringing
• edginess
• misgiving
• compunction
• franticness
• presentiment
• incertitude
• qualm
• scruple
• foreboding
• cold feet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unconcern
• peace
• ease
• content
• contentment
• calmness
• calm
• quietude
• tranquility
• quiet
• serenity
• easiness
• placidity
• relief
• peacefulness
• comfort
• placidness
• solace
• consolation
• sereneness
• tranquilness

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

Recent Examples of agitate

Verb

The 24-year-old Netherlands international, who has scored twice at this summer’s World Cup, is not agitating to leave, but West Ham are resigned to losing the talented attacker. — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 25 June 2026

Allow room for your items to move freely and to be agitated. — Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026

Noun

Conventional insulin can lose potency when exposed to elevated temperatures or agitation, requiring careful handling throughout distribution and use. — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 6 July 2026

This cycle uses moderate temperatures, gentle agitation, and slower spin speeds to clean wrinkle-prone fabrics effectively. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 5 July 2026