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
Kristen Monroe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Jackson continued to travel, agitate, protest, but the spotlight had moved on.
—Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Gentle simmering and minimal agitation help preserve their structure.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Verb
But Welch soon got under McCarthy’s skin, and, increasingly agitated by Welch’s questioning, McCarthy jumped into the fray and started attacking Welch.
—Kristen Monroe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Jackson continued to travel, agitate, protest, but the spotlight had moved on.
—Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
Marcos briefly suspended habeas corpus and blamed his sclerotic economy on the agitations of leftist rebels, students, journalists, and preachers.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Gentle simmering and minimal agitation help preserve their structure.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
-
Austin is only home to one professional sports team — Austin FC — so the Spurs games help stir the capital city’s sports fandom.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Feb. 2026
-
From pioneers such as Ma Rainey and Curley Weaver to icons James Brown, Little Richard, Otis Redding and Ray Charles — who used the blues to fuel their legendary soul careers — Georgia’s scene is stirring.—
DeAsia Paige,
AJC.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The 12 villas come with a living room, a separate bedroom, and kitchen stocked with complimentary snacks and drinks from the mini bar, a pre-dinner amuse bouche from the chef each evening, and a patio with a separate entrance for staffers to set up morning breakfast without disturbing you.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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Set in the 1990s, the film centers on a young FBI agent (Maika Monroe) who investigates a series of disturbing murders connected by highly specific commonalities.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As information has slowly revealed more about the ski trip and those who died in the devastating avalanche, grief has shaken communities across the region.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Knight shook her head and reiterated that this was indeed her final Olympic game.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Carvalho discussed the event’s main goal, to mark a year since the beginning of recovery from the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires in January of 2025.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
This story discusses events that might be disturbing to some readers.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In these and recent Olympics, athletes have gone viral for amassing pins in the village with varying frenzy.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
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Given Supermicro’s high-profile role in the AI build-out frenzy, the CFO also needs to have strategic relationships with analysts, investment banks, and market participants.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Tobacco parallels The Los Angeles trial centers on allegations made by a 20-year-old woman, Kaley, and her mother that four social media giants intentionally designed addictive platforms that hooked her as a child and led to mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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The lurch from confidence to anxiety has been a key reason Villa have not held their nerve in some supposedly easier fixtures.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The man himself might have argued forcefully that the one didn’t prove the other, that many Muslims in his hometown never bothered to circumcise their children.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
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But only part of that really bothered the Florida Department of Health about Sidney Moritz, once known as Sandy Montano.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Navigate the locker room with your vibrating children.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Suddenly a crowd is just there, vibrating to the sounds in ecstatic reverie.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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