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
• distraction
• confusion
• flap
• deliriousness
• chaos
• turmoil
• disorder
• commotion
• disturbance
• stir
• havoc
• pandemonium
• tumult
• to-do
• clamor
• bedlam
• bustle
• clatter
• 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

Each of these segments offers your community bank an opportunity to personalize your marketing to provide more value and deepen your relationship, rather than sending along generic one-size-fits-all offers that are ignored or agitate your base. — Brian Reilly, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Billions of minuscule creatures, after all, agitate the waterways of the world. — Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

Then again, maybe not all that much, given the ongoing agitation from the outside looking in. — Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026

Various parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda to treat conditions including headaches, colic, dropsy, rheumatism, nervous agitation, constipation, dyspepsia, and infections of the eye and throat. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026