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
Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
The Global Day of Action is a worldwide protest sponsored by left-wing agitation group Action Network, which is using the hashtag #TakeDownTesla to promote its efforts.
—Peter D'abrosca, Fox News, 24 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
The infected person may experience anxiety, confusion, agitation and hallucinations, per the health agency.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
The Global Day of Action is a worldwide protest sponsored by left-wing agitation group Action Network, which is using the hashtag #TakeDownTesla to promote its efforts.
—Peter D'abrosca, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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Continue adding stock as needed, stirring frequently, and cook for another 9 minutes or until the rice is al dente and the vegetables are tender.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, about 8 minutes. 2: Add the water, beans (with their liquid), tomatoes, bay leaves, salt, black pepper, oregano and red pepper flakes, if using, and stir to combine.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 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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Peace talks in London between the United States, Ukraine and other European countries to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war were downgraded after it was announced that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio would not attend.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
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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While immediate inflation concerns have eased, the current administration’s assertive tariff policies are reigniting these anxieties, potentially leading to future economic instability.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.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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The Mavericks defeated the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night in Sacramento, 120-106; the Mavs led by more than 20 points in the first half, and the Kings never bothered to muster much of a run to make this interesting.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
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 5 May. 2025.
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