as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
a political agitator who led an unsuccessful revolt against the government
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Recent Examples of agitator
Whereas Dada had upset the artistic and sociopolitical status quo with a panoply of absurdist antics, Surrealism was approached as a research and development program that would leverage Dadaist gains to complete the societal revolution that Apollinaire and his fellow agitators started.
—
Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
They were largely paid agitators, with fake signs and slogans, and were only there to make TROUBLE!
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025
On Monday night, anti-Israel agitators with the group Within Our Lifetime (WOL) protested in the train station’s main concourse.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
This event is being driven by left-wing extremists and paid agitators with a clear agenda.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitator
Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
They were largely paid agitators, with fake signs and slogans, and were only there to make TROUBLE!
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025
On Monday night, anti-Israel agitators with the group Within Our Lifetime (WOL) protested in the train station’s main concourse.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
This event is being driven by left-wing extremists and paid agitators with a clear agenda.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitator
Noun
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Despite all their years of playing cat-and-mouse, Diego Luna’s rebel spy Cassian Andor and Kyle Soller‘s Empire agent Syril Karn have never had much screen time together — until now.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
7 May 2025
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Israel has repeatedly targeted the rebels in Yemen.—
Elena Becatoros,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2025
Noun
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Goodison is the only stadium in the world to have a church in one of its corners, and St Luke’s remains a vibrant meeting point for supporters on matchday.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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Jordan Klepper has spent more time following Donald Trump around the country than many of his most ardent supporters.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
15 May 2025
Noun
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But critics regard him as a demagogue who relies on stoking divisions and demonizing his rivals.—
Time,
Time,
8 Apr. 2025
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Her father was a consul; her brother, Clodius Pulcher, was a powerful demagogue and the archenemy of Cicero.—
Daniel Mendelsohn,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For her commitment, Rodrigo received the Catalyst of Change award, presented by fellow feminist firebrand Lily Allen.—
Kristen Bateman,
Vogue,
25 Apr. 2025
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In addition to the firebrand Vermont independent, the event will also feature his tour mate, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as Neil Young, Joan Baez and Maggie Rogers.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Notably, the promoter recently discontinued its popular Lawn Pass program, through which music fans paid a flat fee for a lawn ticket to every summer concert at participating amphitheaters.—
Taylor Mims,
Billboard,
14 May 2025
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The criminal proceeding affects all four band members, along with the group’s manager and concert promoter, and accuses them of glorifying the criminal activities of cartels.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
13 May 2025
Noun
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California’s Democratic leaders, including Newsom and top state lawmakers, have been major proponents of transitioning to renewable energy and imposing more restrictions on the state’s oil and gas industry.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2025
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Leo was a staunch proponent of church orthodoxy, helping guide the early church on tenets including the dual nature of Christ and the idea of papal infallibility.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
Noun
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A couple of weeks ago, the provocateur Laura Loomer got the White House to force the firing of some of his aides, which was a little like taking personnel advice from Lyndon LaRouche.—
The Editors,
National Review,
2 May 2025
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The hip hop provocateur assured worried fans that everything was OK.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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As threats from insurgents faded, crackdowns by an authoritarian government surged.—
Mitra Taj,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
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As a result, the new international legal architecture curbed starvation tactics in interstate wars and during occupations but stopped short of fully criminalizing the weapon, particularly when used by poorer states against insurgent groups in civil wars.—
Boyd van Dijk,
Foreign Affairs,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitator. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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