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
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
Marchand built his reputation as an agitating, scrappy forward who knows how to get under the opponent’s skin while also producing on the scoresheet and was named captain ahead of the 2023-24 season, succeeding Patrice Bergeron for the role.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
But agitation, redness, and dry flakiness aren’t unheard of.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Verb
Stir minimally, to combine ingredients but to agitate the bubbles as little as possible.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
Marchand built his reputation as an agitating, scrappy forward who knows how to get under the opponent’s skin while also producing on the scoresheet and was named captain ahead of the 2023-24 season, succeeding Patrice Bergeron for the role.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
Far from a spiritual society blessed by the truth of God, the desperate world around them appears to have been reduced to nothing but transactions, with everyone out for themselves, which in turn enhances both the characters’ agitation and ours.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
But agitation, redness, and dry flakiness aren’t unheard of.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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In a large bowl, stir together fennel, garlic, heavy cream, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and 1 cup parmesan until evenly combined.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
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Dissolve soda in milk; stir into shortening mixture.—
Molly Guthrey,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Rose tells Shaw that her community is concerned about sacred remains being disturbed.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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The 34-year-old appeared to have deactivated her X account after disturbing posts on her account resurfaced online.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Light shaking was detected, and people in several cities - including Hercules, San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland and Fremont - reported feeling the tremor, according to the USGS DYFI report.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Trim the dead parts, shake the soil off, and store them in a cool, dark location where they are protected from the cold.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Previous Japanese leaders have avoided discussing Taiwan in the context of a military response.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
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In a May promo clip introducing the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance RC65, New Balance’s global VP of lifestyle and basketball, Brian Lynn, discussed the origins of the new model.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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That cut New York’s lead to 2-1 and sent the Charlotte crowd into a frenzy, hoping for a tying score in the game’s final minutes.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Nov. 2025
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Turns out, the frenzy was all over a bear (and sometimes, a cat).—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The attendees—thirty- and forty-somethings who are members of the bank’s Private Wealth Management (PWM) division, which boasts an average account size of over $75 million—gathered to hash out their anxiety and excitement.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
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Barton will have to wait another month to receive his sentence for the six guilty counts the jury returned on charges of sending a grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety to football broadcasters Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, and TV and radio host Jeremy Vine.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The clanging of dirty dishes being gathered in the back kitchen does not bother her.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
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Instagram and TikTok are littered with stories of women and their unsupportive husbands, men who can't remember their own children's birthdays or be bothered to take a weekend off from their golf hobby to spend time with their families.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The whole place was vibrating from the power of the storm.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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At a home in eastern Jamaica, which avoided the worst of the Melissa’s impacts, Edma felt the building's concrete walls vibrate as the storm barreled across the island.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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