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
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
Although Rodgers was agitated when the Packers used the 26th overall pick in the 2020 draft on Love — and eventually held out in the summer of 2021 — there was never any bad blood between the two quarterbacks.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
As defined by the National Institute of Medicine, postpartum psychosis is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, agitation and unusual behavior within the first four weeks postpartum.
—Kaitlyn May, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Verb
In a year that has already witnessed Kendrick Lamar scoop up five more Grammys (total so far: 22) and captivate – or agitate – a record-setting 133 million viewers during his Super Bowl halftime performance, the Grand National Tour with co-headliner SZA continues his leap to superstardom.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
Although Rodgers was agitated when the Packers used the 26th overall pick in the 2020 draft on Love — and eventually held out in the summer of 2021 — there was never any bad blood between the two quarterbacks.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
Place the laundry bags in the washing machine as well as a few towels to reduce noise, cushion the shoes, and aid in agitation.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
As defined by the National Institute of Medicine, postpartum psychosis is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, agitation and unusual behavior within the first four weeks postpartum.
—Kaitlyn May, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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In a large skillet cook bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 8 minutes.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 May 2025
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Promoting Marina without discussing it with him first makes Lara look like she’s known about Marina’s greatness all along, without giving the captain credit for stirring the department in the right direction.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
Verb
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These days, there’s no shortage of packable, lightweight sleeping pads to make sure no peas (or pebbles) ever disturb your slumber on your next backpacking trip.—
Scott Gilbertson,
Wired News,
11 May 2025
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The images of those disturbing losses cycled through social media and quickly made it onto local news.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
Verb
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RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 contestant Phoenix's drama with Ice Spice must've stirred too much after the season 3 queen clapped back against the guest judge's Main Stage critiques about her icon status, but the Drag Race OG hopes the rapper isn't too shaken in the aftermath.—
Joey Nolfi Published,
EW.com,
17 May 2025
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What are we supposed to cling to when the ground is shaking?—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
16 May 2025
Verb
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But social media is full of media personalities and onlookers discussing the Combs trial with the timbre of a gossip blogger recounting a Real Housewives episode.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
17 May 2025
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During a session for agents at the NFL Combine in February 2025, NFLPA officials referenced but did not discuss the action and seemed to indicate that CARD would take it up but did not provide any further details.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
The dampened investor mood over AI — relative to the frenzy over the theme in 2024, at least — doesn’t reflect the priorities of companies, which are still spending on AI infrastructure and leveraging the technology to find new revenue streams.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
21 May 2025
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The company hit that once unfathomable goal by the third quarter of 2024, and the company’s market capitalization has skyrocketed by another 370% since to $125 billion, amid a frenzy for anything remotely AI-adjacent.—
Matt Durot,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Margin anxiety nonetheless prompted HF Sinclair to pause what had been a budding streak of annual dividend hikes since a little before the corporate merger.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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As reported by First Post, Poland is holding a presidential election against a backdrop of growing security concerns, fueled by the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine and anxiety over a potential U.S. retreat from European defense commitments under President Donald Trump.—
Emma Marsden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Or Xander Schauffele, the defending PGA champion who is surely not bothered by the lack of attention on him early this week.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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That doesn’t mean the implication doesn’t bother him.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
Verb
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The extraordinary source material is a profound inspiration to build a unique world that vibrates with life and death at the same time.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
16 May 2025
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Many ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers—humidifiers that vibrate to make mist—can lower water mineralization and bacterial growth.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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