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
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
By the mid-20th century, an era of decolonization had taken hold, as colonies in Africa and around the world agitated for independence.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 June 2026
Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 10 June 2026
But such reckless rebuke of the powers that shape their lives is dangerous, and Tomás’s agitation gives him the appearance of a man possessed.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, Vulture, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Verb
That was usually Andy agitating.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
By the mid-20th century, an era of decolonization had taken hold, as colonies in Africa and around the world agitated for independence.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 June 2026
Noun
But the agitation from the fans Tuesday wasn’t about the on-court product.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 10 June 2026
But such reckless rebuke of the powers that shape their lives is dangerous, and Tomás’s agitation gives him the appearance of a man possessed.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, Vulture, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
-
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
-
For best results, apply with a damp beauty sponge using a stippling motion rather than sweeping strokes, which can disturb coverage and leave streaks.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
13 June 2026
-
Stray electric and magnetic fields that can slightly disturb electrons have far less influence on the nucleus.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
People can decide for themselves whether Wembanyama’s anthem conduct bothers them.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
-
But at the same time, the people that are bothering me are showing us love.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Tefi was vibrating when the news broke.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
-
AirJet uses piezoelectric modules with a vibrating element that forces air through the module's body.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
13 June 2026
Verb
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The attendees debated where all these new treatments might fit in, especially with Eli Lilly currently dominating the market for shots and impressing attendees with data from its experimental triple-acting drug retatrutide that produced the most weight loss seen yet.—
Angelica Peebles,
CNBC,
13 June 2026
-
But also debates within the Labour Party, the state of the polls, the development of public opinion, and the success or otherwise of the government in generating growth by other means.—
Anand Menon,
Time,
13 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
-
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 17 Jun. 2026.
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