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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agitate
Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Violence, corruption and environmental degradation have saturated the avocado trade there, causing the U.S. to briefly stop imports and senators to agitate for action by the federal government.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
The treatment is currently being studied in several other major indications, including Alzheimer’s disease agitation and psychosis.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Verb
In the late 1960s, during Nigeria’s civil war, he was held for two years as a political prisoner, having agitated against the conflict.
—Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Violence, corruption and environmental degradation have saturated the avocado trade there, causing the U.S. to briefly stop imports and senators to agitate for action by the federal government.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
Noun
Absent a sanitize setting, opt for the heavy-duty or regular cycle that provides faster agitation and spin and a longer washing time than permanent press or gentle cycles.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
The treatment is currently being studied in several other major indications, including Alzheimer’s disease agitation and psychosis.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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But for those paying closer attention, something else was stirring: the quiet but powerful debut of SirDavis American Whisky, her first foray into spirits in partnership with Moët Hennessy.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
30 June 2025
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TikTok users flooded the comment section with responses describing the scene as heartwarming and emotionally stirring.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Verb
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The Heisenberg uncertainty principle teaches us that observation disturbs the observed.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Hammond, not wanting the dinosaurs disturbed, sends behavioral paleontologist Sarah Harding (Julianne Moore) to Isla Sorna, where the dinosaurs have been living without human interference.—
Will Harris,
EW.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The tragedy shook the small Ohio town — and stunned viewers who remembered the Stockdale family's 2008 appearance on ABC's Wife Swap.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
21 June 2025
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And beside them, Milford, Weymouth and St. John’s of Shrewsbury also shook off their sub-20 seeding to advance at least once in an all-time showing of parity.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
21 June 2025
Verb
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Never mind that the two teams had discussed a deal at the February trade deadline, or that their coach, Ime Udoka, had grown close with Durant during their time together in Brooklyn and was known to be a major advocate for a possible Durant move.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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The courtroom was sealed as the parties discussed the matter, which had been considered resolved early in the week.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2025
Noun
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With Bush at the helm, fingers flying up and down the neck of his mandolin, the 73-year-old stirred the crowd into a frenzy.—
Garret K. Woodward,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2025
-
Meanwhile, Bradley, playing in front of his home crowd, sent the place into a frenzy.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 June 2025
Noun
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An earlier 2019 study in Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance found turbulence, unfamiliar aircraft noises, and the threat of terror attacks were among the top anxiety triggers.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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Too much attention, often understandably driven by shareholder and financial analyst anxiety, is being placed on the lagging indicators of current performance.—
Paul Laudicina,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Also on this episode: With Emmy nomination voting ending on Monday, the Roundtable takes one more look at the major categories, how the number of submissions has changed some of the competition and who didn’t bother to join in.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
20 June 2025
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Orban said in February that organisers should not even bother organizing Pride in Budapest this year.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Teaching me how a microwave vibrates water molecules to heat my dinner is less helpful than telling me what buttons to press and which containers are microwave-safe.—
Judd Kessler,
New York Daily News,
17 June 2025
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The males climb up trees and produce their shrill songs en masse, using muscles to vibrate a rigid part of their exoskeletons called tymbals.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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