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
Dawn Chmielewski, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Let the machine agitate for a few minutes, then pause the cycle by opening the lid and let the machine soak for 30 to 60 minutes before completing the cycle.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 14 Mar. 2026
Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Rattlesnake bite symptoms include puncture wounds, swelling, bleeding, pain, agitation or depression, according to UC Davis.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Verb
One activist investor, Third Point, had been agitating for Disney to spin off its ESPN sports television network, before ultimately conceding its value to the company.
—Dawn Chmielewski, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
Let the machine agitate for a few minutes, then pause the cycle by opening the lid and let the machine soak for 30 to 60 minutes before completing the cycle.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
Plus, the movie is simply too goofy and good-natured for any of its feminist agitation to land.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Rattlesnake bite symptoms include puncture wounds, swelling, bleeding, pain, agitation or depression, according to UC Davis.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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Later, romantic Venus squares transformative Pluto, stirring friction about recognition and resources in groups.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
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The intuitive Moon stirs your 7th House of Companionship, squaring fortuitous Jupiter in your 4th House of Care, so promises and comfort could pull in opposite directions.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rose had collected art her whole life, cared a lot about her paintings, and was disturbed, obviously, by this fact that wasn’t a fact.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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Marcet’s intention was certainly not to disturb the religious faith of her young readers, most of whom would have been raised on a literal understanding of the biblical creation story.—
Kathryn Hughes,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When the clock finally ran out, Auriemma walked straight to the tunnel and didn’t shake hands.—
Doug Feinberg,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The UConn players and assistant coaches shook hands with the South Carolina coaches and players after the game but Auriemma walked off the court after the game.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On Monday, Canales also discussed his excitement in getting to work with new backup QB Kenny Pickett.—
Mike Kaye
April 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
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The two leaders discussed progress made during ongoing operations to eliminate Iran’s ability to attack other countries, Hawkins said in a statement.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The housing market has cooled considerably since earlier this decade, when rock-bottom mortgage rates set off a frenzy that sent home prices soaring.—
Alex Veiga,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
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One of the unspoken truths about the Tortuga Music Festival is that while its country-music firepower is undeniable, some of its best moments have come in the frenzy of fans who pack stages for party-rap performers such as Flo Rida, Nelly, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg and Ludacris.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Amid record anxiety about the future of work—and growing warnings about the potential erosion of white-collar careers—one unlikely field may be getting the last laugh.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Drone use is heavily limited by battery anxiety, but without a battery the use cases really open up.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 05,
New Atlas,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The 6-foot-2 Strong — AP’s Player of the Year — was bothered by South Carolina’s interior size, with several of her inside shots rattling in and out.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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But he isn’t bothered by the fact that the cost has jumped by more than $1 a gallon over the past month or so.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But that he – along with fellow Pittsburgher Wiz Khalifa and country star Kane Brown – has been tapped to perform during the 2026 NFL Draft in his hometown has the gregarious rocker vibrating with glee.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Fitbits also feature silent alarms; the tracker will vibrate at a specific time and gently wake you up without disturbing others.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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