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
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
Margot Sanger-Katz, New York Times, 12 May 2025
As soon as Musk and Trump began bashing one another in earnest on Thursday, the GOP base immediately started agitating in three big directions.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 6 June 2025
Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Thanks to ongoing agitation and awareness-building — especially by activist Opal Lee, now 98 years old — President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on June 17, 2021.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Verb
The legislation released on Sunday tries to split the difference between Republicans agitating for deep cuts to Medicaid and those eager to protect their states from changes that could force them to shoulder much higher costs.
—Margot Sanger-Katz, New York Times, 12 May 2025
As soon as Musk and Trump began bashing one another in earnest on Thursday, the GOP base immediately started agitating in three big directions.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 6 June 2025
Noun
Carlson's agitation against American involvement in Iran has irked Trump, who lashed out at him on social media.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Thanks to ongoing agitation and awareness-building — especially by activist Opal Lee, now 98 years old — President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on June 17, 2021.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
-
Just the idea of a super-fight between generations has already stirred the pot.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
Roast, stirring twice, until corn is browned, about 20 minutes.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
However, infrared videography can help record what’s going on on the beach without disturbing the turtles or crabs.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
10 July 2025
-
The first beaver to be released in this project was trapped at Arlington Wildlife Area along the Gila River after causing land management issues, like clogging pipes and disturbing irrigation infrastructure.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
But the humble protein powerhouse has never seemed to be able to shake the bad reputation.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
-
But in that time of rounding corners only to find another door closed, my relentless hopefulness had finally been shaken.—
Kelsey Cox,
People.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
In a survey of 404 regular users of AI companionship apps, researchers at MIT Media Lab found that 12 percent of respondents initially sought out these systems to cope with loneliness, and 14 percent used them to discuss personal or mental-health issues.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation.—
Rebecca Boone,
Chicago Tribune,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
Another trait often ascribed to footballers is courage — the kind that enables them to put their head into a frenzy of flying boots, or take a decisive penalty when thousands are willing them to fail.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
-
That one came down to a late penalty and sent the French crowd into a frenzy.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
Your husband’s anxiety just makes her puppet strings easier to pull.—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
5 July 2025
-
But Democratic pollster John Zogby said many of the wins came at the sacrifice of some and that anxiety in America is higher than ever.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
While notification bundles were an option before, they were primarily used for messaging, and not all developers bothered.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
-
If Waldron wasn’t battered, then Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was hardly bothered.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
The controls are great, with flipper buttons, a plunger, and nudge buttons that include a vibrating rumble.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
26 June 2025
-
Being able to connect with it… something vibrated within me.—
Ayan Artan,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share