agitate 1 of 2

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

Relevance
2
3
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

agitation

2 of 2

noun

1
2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of agitate
Verb
The legislation released on Sunday tries to split the difference between Republicans agitating for deep cuts to Medicaid and those eager to protect their states from changes that could force them to shoulder much higher costs. Margot Sanger-Katz, New York Times, 12 May 2025 As soon as Musk and Trump began bashing one another in earnest on Thursday, the GOP base immediately started agitating in three big directions. Philip Elliott, Time, 6 June 2025
Noun
Carlson's agitation against American involvement in Iran has irked Trump, who lashed out at him on social media. Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 June 2025 Thanks to ongoing agitation and awareness-building — especially by activist Opal Lee, now 98 years old — President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on June 17, 2021. Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
  • Just the idea of a super-fight between generations has already stirred the pot.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • Roast, stirring twice, until corn is browned, about 20 minutes.
    Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • However, infrared videography can help record what’s going on on the beach without disturbing the turtles or crabs.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 July 2025
  • The first beaver to be released in this project was trapped at Arlington Wildlife Area along the Gila River after causing land management issues, like clogging pipes and disturbing irrigation infrastructure.
    John Leos, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić shaking hands after signing bilateral documents during a meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 8, 2024.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • Nikki Bella and Lola Vice were shaking their hips in the middle of the ring, and Wade Barrett encouraged Michael Cole to show them what he’s got.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • In this interview, the co-founder of Kodiak Cakes and now founder of Kindling discusses his strategic approach to building a brand, disrupting categories, and the evolving landscape of health-conscious snacking.
    Dave Knox, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • There’s a lot of humor used as the co-hosts discuss current events and rail against liberal reaction to them.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • And things got off to an electric start when — less than three minutes into the game — Stewart scored from 4 yards out, launching the home crowd into a frenzy and one little girl into viral-video stardom.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2025
  • The hiring frenzy shows no signs of slowing down, and OpenAI has been fighting back.
    Kylie Robison, Wired News, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • This can cause unnecessary anxiety and concern for the dog.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • This is the current situation: Certainly, a trend of appreciating precious metals is at work, but there is also the theme of ‘strategic and critical metals’ anxiety pushing platinum.
    Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • There’s something delicious about sipping lemonade after a dip in the pool, looking down from the balcony at the day-trippers all hot and bothered below.
    Richard Godwin, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025
  • That really bothers me more than anything else; that bothers me more than even being excluded.
    Max Gao, Variety, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Somewhere around hour two of not moving, my hamstrings began to vibrate like the low end of a baby grand.
    Peter Rubin, Longreads, 8 July 2025
  • Their beating wings vibrate, inadvertently loosening pollen, which then falls onto the female part of the flower.
    Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025

Cite this Entry

“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on agitate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!