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
Nicole Hopper, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025
For instance, trust will be eroded when a person demonstrates a lack of temperance, which manifests as being agitated, impatient, inattentive, rash, and anxious instead of being composed, patient, prudent, self-controlled, and calm.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 26 Mar. 2025
In such moments, Howie’s technique is empirical and precise, a verbal cinematography of acute agitation.
—Joshua Dubler, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Verb
Place lasagna noodles in a 9- x 13- inch baking dish; cover with hot or boiling water to submerge and set aside to soak until noodles are pliable, about 30 minutes, agitating noodles occasionally to prevent them from sticking together.
—Nicole Hopper, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025
For instance, trust will be eroded when a person demonstrates a lack of temperance, which manifests as being agitated, impatient, inattentive, rash, and anxious instead of being composed, patient, prudent, self-controlled, and calm.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
Symptoms specific to spring and summer SAD can include agitation, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and loss of appetite, Dr. Bacow says.
—Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 26 Mar. 2025
In such moments, Howie’s technique is empirical and precise, a verbal cinematography of acute agitation.
—Joshua Dubler, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, thyme, 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.—
Nicole Hopper,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2025
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Add the cheddar, ham and chives and stir with a fork to combine.—
Nicole Hvidsten,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This tactic—arresting judges for their courtroom decisions—has disturbing echoes in other countries where judicial independence has been undermined: in Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, in Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Turkey, and in other places where democracy has given way to executive supremacy.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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No doubt, climate change threatens to muck it all up, disturbing patterns that have existed for centuries.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In 2023, Turkey experienced one of the world's most deadly quakes, a 7.8 magnitude event that shook southern Turkey and northern Syria, killing more than 55,000 people.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
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On Tuesday, not so much, the Lakers showing their clear dominance in every area backed by a legendarily springtime loud home crowd that annually shakes, rattles and rolls.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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These topics and more will continue to be discussed leading up to the draft.—
Mark LaSota,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Putin also discussed Iran's nuclear program with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said during his visit to Moscow, the Kremlin said, as Oman continues its mediation efforts between Tehran and Washington.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The contrast between the stillness of figures in the tie cockpit and the frenzy of Mon’s movement on the dance floor also emphasizes the emotional toll of the rebellion.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
25 Apr. 2025
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Gold prices just surged past $3,500 an ounce for the first time, with a perfect storm of stock market volatility, Fed policies, Trump’s tariffs, and trade war concerns sending the precious metal into a frenzy.—
Quartz Staff,
Quartz,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Trump's remarks came as he's started to soften his tone with China regarding tariffs, which have rattled the global markets and stoked anxieties about the economy.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Hiking in nature has also been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.—
Ashley J. DiMella Fox News,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
19 Apr. 2025
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So much so that Gillaspie didn’t bother to even grab a towel last summer when a pitching coach yelled into the visiting showers to alert him that Triple-A El Paso manager Pete Zamora needed to see him.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Why could not the engineers simply have made the device vibrate and/or light up when locking the door?—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2025
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As news that Williams had been apprehended spread, Dahl’s phone started vibrating with texts from friends.—
Ronan Farrow,
The New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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