1
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
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 agitate
Ray Campos, CBS News, 23 May 2026
Historically, in situations involving large numbers of dogs, rescue teams have reported the animals to be agitated, stressed and fearful of human interaction (resulting in shyness or aggression).
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Today his agitation includes my senior promenade at the Brooklyn Girl's High School.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Verb
The individual who called emergency personnel about the male, whose age has yet to be disclosed by officials, reported he was agitated and asking strange questions, police said.
—Ray Campos, CBS News, 23 May 2026
Historically, in situations involving large numbers of dogs, rescue teams have reported the animals to be agitated, stressed and fearful of human interaction (resulting in shyness or aggression).
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Noun
But Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, unlike its successors in the soap world, would not cower in the face of such agitation, and was all the better for it.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Today his agitation includes my senior promenade at the Brooklyn Girl's High School.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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Though all eyes will be on North America, the national pride this event inspires – and the staggered start times that will allow fans watching back in their home countries to take in their teams during sort-of-normal hours – will stir incredible excitement and patriotism all around the world.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
-
Add corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 4 minutes.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The zoo says that the facility would be about 50 yards from some of its animals and that the noise could disturb its residents, including a leap of leopards that hail originally from Southeast Asia.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
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The lawsuit filed Thursday by Karen Read against Massachusetts State Police and Canton Police revealed a long history of disturbing text messages between former police officers Michael Proctor and Sean Goode that allegedly included racial slurs, sexist comments and other offensive material.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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This majestic sequence delivers a lifetime’s outpouring of love’s inadequacies and frustrations, of grief and regret, of gratitude along with candid acceptance of loss, and of self-questioning that never shakes the foundations of the family—her ferocious commitment to the children.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
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As his lead attorney, Howard Srebnick, was minutes into his opening statements, Pino began crying, shaking and breathing heavily.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The pair visited Ethiopia in 2019 and met with Sahle-Work Zewde, the first woman president of Ethiopia to discuss ways to help girls continue their schooling.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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The supervisors had discussed in March whether the money could be used to address pressing demands across the county, such as the multimillion-dollar liability from the Airport fire in 2024.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Verb
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People can decide for themselves whether Wembanyama’s anthem conduct bothers them.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
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But at the same time, the people that are bothering me are showing us love.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Verb
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With every pluck, the strings seem to vibrate in the air in front of you, blurring like bees’ wings.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2026
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Gateway Center Arena was vibrating on a cosmic level last night as the Atlanta Dream beat the Connecticut Sun.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The zoo’s petition cites several objections to data centers that have been hotly debated nationwide, including their impact on electricity and water resources.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
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The world is still debating whether this is a short-term disruption while farmers are already being forced to make decisions today that will have consequences next year.—
John W.H. Denton AO,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The campaign further advises that using phones to film or photograph events could create dangerous congestion and distract other passengers.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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The three cats quickly get distracted, though, by the dangling, bright lightbulb and string hanging above them.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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