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
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
But some hard-line conservatives, nervous about the prospect of being jammed with a massive, end-of-year omnibus and hoping to avoid negotiating with Democrats on spending increases, have been agitating for another full-year continuing resolution (CR).
—Aris Folley, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
Severe disease, however, often presents within two weeks of illness, causing confusion, agitation and hallucinations, the above source states.
—Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Verb
In her autobiography, Gibson wrote about biding her time rather than choosing to agitate.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
But some hard-line conservatives, nervous about the prospect of being jammed with a massive, end-of-year omnibus and hoping to avoid negotiating with Democrats on spending increases, have been agitating for another full-year continuing resolution (CR).
—Aris Folley, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
This thermal agitation causes electrons to lose energy as heat rather than contributing to the electrical current, leading to a noticeable drop in voltage and overall efficiency.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
Severe disease, however, often presents within two weeks of illness, causing confusion, agitation and hallucinations, the above source states.
—Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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Let apples stand at room temperature fat least 1 hour or up to 24 hours to macerate and release their juices, stirring occasionally.—
Staff Author,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
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Add bell peppers, poblano peppers, onion, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt to skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and starting to char, 10 to 12 minutes.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Leaf blowers of any kind may disturb wildlife habitat and contribute to soil erosion by removing organic matter and exposing the top layer of soil.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
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Part of the controversy appears to have related to the fact that the carpet covered tile that, if disturbed, could expose children to asbestos.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After 30 minutes or so, pause the machine, remove the comforter, and shake it out before adding it back to the drum, continuing the process until the bedding is fully dry.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
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The earthquake shook at a depth of just 3 miles, with its epicenter approximately 10 miles south of Trona.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Back in Europe, regional leaders will converge in Copenhagen on Wednesday to discuss measures to bolster the continent’s security, following a recent spate of airspace incursions in countries including Denmark, Poland, Romania and Estonia.—
Tasmin Lockwood,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Women who are at higher risk with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors should discuss timing of screening with their health care provider.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Wall Street holds near record highs in a government-data blackout , with enough rotational energy toward left-behind groups, refreshed confidence in the AI spending frenzy, certainty of a Fed rate cut this month and speculative aggression in lower-quality longshots to keep the indexes aloft.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
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The Red Sox have room to pay him now that Rafael Devers' contract is off the books, but Bregman could cause a frenzy in free agency.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Other benefits of acupuncture were pain intensity reduction, an improvement of physical functions, and fewer anxiety symptoms.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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The stress among the friend group about their costume theme is giving me more anxiety than a haunted hayride.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Reviewing pages have been thinned by the forces of history and technology; few Pynchon skeptics anymore bother to take the time to read the novels and register their objections.—
Book Marks
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
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But Bob Say, owner of Los Angeles’ Freakbeat Records, for one, isn’t all that bothered.—
Roy Trakin,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Designer Joe Nahem of the esteemed firm Fox-Nahem was then brought in to merge the two spaces into one wildly creative space that vibrates with color, pattern, and texture.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
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Each of the three biographies—any good biography—vibrates with the intensity of its author’s possession by their subject and the thrill of exhumation, if only metaphoric.—
Megan Marshall
September 25,
Literary Hub,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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