AGITATIONS Synonyms: 280 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'agitate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse , rock , and shake . While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring. // an ocean agitated by storms

Q: When is it sensible to use 'convulse' instead of 'agitate'?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm. // spectators were convulsed with laughter

Q: Where would 'rock' be a reasonable alternative to 'agitate'?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval. // the whole city was rocked by the explosion

Q: When can 'shake' be used instead of 'agitate'?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose. // shake well before using

agitate 1 of 2

verb

ˈa-jə-ˌtāt

Definition of agitate

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

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

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

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

ˌa-jə-ˈtā-shən

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word agitate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse, rock, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When is it sensible to use convulse instead of agitate?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

Where would rock be a reasonable alternative to agitate?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

When can shake be used instead of agitate?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

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 24-year-old Netherlands international, who has scored twice at this summer’s World Cup, is not agitating to leave, but West Ham are resigned to losing the talented attacker. — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 25 June 2026 Allow room for your items to move freely and to be agitated. — Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026

Noun

Conventional insulin can lose potency when exposed to elevated temperatures or agitation, requiring careful handling throughout distribution and use. — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 6 July 2026 This cycle uses moderate temperatures, gentle agitation, and slower spin speeds to clean wrinkle-prone fabrics effectively. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for agitate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate

Verb

Pour the soy sauce mixture into the pan and stir well to combine, scraping up any brown bits.

— Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 19 July 2026
Unruly Uranus stirs your 4th House of Home, forming a trine with Pluto in your 12th House of Solitude.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026

Definition of stir

Verb

White-footed mice, which do carry the culprit bacteria — charmingly named Borrelia burgdorferi — thrive in areas disturbed by people, according to Ostfeld.

— Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Clear your calendar, put your phone on ‘Do not disturb’ and enjoy.

— The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

The question is whether Thompson will shake free from the Mavericks, either through a buyout or trade.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
The wine and cocktail menu sports a few local makers too, including Gruet Winery’s sparkling wine and Hollow Spirits vodka, which is shaken into the restaurant’s take on a Vesper martini.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026

Definition of shake

Verb

The tequila shrimp empanadas disappear quickly, while the huitlacoche quesadilla folds Oaxaca cheese, mushrooms, roasted corn, and salsa macha crema into something deeper and earthier than most Midtown menus bother attempting.

— Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Maybe altering the letters bothered her most because publication inevitably makes the integrity of a letter—the message from writer to recipient—secondary.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

For an industry that has spent decades debating how to portray disability authentically, that shift in who holds the microphone may turn out to be the more consequential story.

— Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
But that doesn’t mean the form of payment can’t also be debated.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026

Definition of debate

Verb

Roschelle had seemed distracted lately, going to a bunch of doctors’ appointments, talking to Sapphire late at night.

— Jessica Contrera, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
During a recent concert where Graham Nash was speaking his mind about needless wars and his belief that the president started a war with Iran to distract from the Epstein files, someone in the audience yelled out.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026

Definition of distract

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agita

agitate

agitated

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“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of agitate

verb

noun

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